What is AAC? A Parent's Guide to Communication Apps

If someone recently mentioned "AAC" to you -- maybe a speech therapist, a teacher, or another parent at a support group -- and you found yourself quietly googling it afterward, you are in good company. Most parents of children with autism or speech delays hear this term for the first time during one of the most overwhelming periods of their lives. So let me explain it in plain language.

What AAC Actually Means

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. That is a mouthful, but the idea is straightforward: it is any tool or strategy that helps a person communicate when speech alone is not enough.

"Augmentative" means it adds to existing speech. "Alternative" means it can replace speech when needed. For many children, AAC does both at different times.

Think about how you already use AAC in your own life without calling it that. You point at things. You gesture. You text instead of calling. You nod your head yes. These are all forms of communication that go beyond spoken words. AAC for children with speech delays works on the same principle, just in a more structured way.

Who Benefits from AAC

AAC is used by a wide range of people, not just children with autism. It can help:

• Children with autism spectrum disorder who are nonverbal or have limited speech
• Children with apraxia of speech who know what they want to say but struggle with the motor planning to say it
• Children with developmental delays who are behind in language milestones
• Children with Down syndrome or other genetic conditions that affect speech
• Anyone recovering from a brain injury or stroke who needs communication support

There is no minimum age or ability level required. If your child is communicating in any way -- reaching, pointing, crying, pulling your hand -- they are already showing you they have something to say. AAC gives them a clearer way to say it.

One important thing to know: AAC does not replace your child's other ways of communicating. It works alongside them. If your child uses some spoken words, gestures, sign language, or facial expressions, those all still count. AAC is an addition, not a replacement. Many children use a mix of speech, gestures, and AAC depending on the situation, and that is completely healthy. Communication is communication, however it happens.

Types of AAC

AAC exists on a spectrum, from low-tech to high-tech.

Low-tech AAC

This includes picture cards (sometimes called PECS), communication boards, printed symbol sheets, and even simple gestures or sign language. These tools require no batteries or screens. They are portable and reliable, and many therapists start here.

Mid-tech AAC

Single-message buttons or small devices with pre-recorded phrases. You might have seen children pressing a large button that says "more" or "help." These are affordable and good for specific situations.

High-tech AAC

This is where communication apps on tablets and phones come in. A high-tech AAC app displays pictures or symbols on a screen. The child taps a picture, and the app speaks the word out loud. Some apps can build full sentences, offer word suggestions, and adapt over time. These are the tools that have changed the most in recent years -- they have become more accessible, more affordable, and more powerful.

The Myth That Will Not Die: "AAC Delays Speech"

This is the single biggest concern parents bring up, and it makes complete sense why. If your child has a tool that talks for them, why would they bother learning to talk on their own?

Here is what the research actually shows: AAC does not delay speech. In fact, it tends to support speech development.

A comprehensive review of 67 studies found that AAC either had no effect on speech production or it led to gains in natural speech. Not a single study found that AAC reduced speech output. (Millar, Light, & Schlosser, 2006)

Why? Because AAC gives children a model for language. When a child taps "want" and "cookie" and hears those words spoken, they are getting auditory input, building vocabulary connections, and experiencing the power of communication. That motivation -- the experience of being understood -- is what drives speech development forward, not silence.

Think of AAC as a bridge. Some children will cross that bridge and develop speech. Others will use the bridge as their primary way of communicating. Either outcome is valid, and neither one is a failure.

What to Look for in an AAC App

If you are considering a communication app for your child, here are some things worth thinking about:

• Vocabulary organization. Are words grouped in a way that makes sense for your child? Can they find "hungry" or "bathroom" quickly when they need it?
• Visual clarity. Are the pictures clear and simple? Too much visual clutter can be overwhelming, especially for children with sensory sensitivities.
• Voice output. The app should speak words clearly when tapped. Hearing the word is a critical part of the learning process.
• Customization. Can you add your own words, photos, and categories? Your child's world is unique -- the app should reflect their life, not just a generic word list.
• Cost. This matters. AAC should not be a luxury item. Some apps charge hundreds of dollars per year. Others offer core features for free. You should not have to go into debt for your child to communicate.
• Ease of use. If you need a training course just to set it up, it may not get used consistently. The best app is the one your family actually uses every day.

Getting Started with AAC at Home

You do not need to be a speech therapist to start using AAC with your child. Here are some practical starting points:

1. Model, model, model. "Modeling" in AAC means that you use the tool yourself while your child watches, with no pressure on them to tap anything. Tap words while you talk. "Time for bath" [tap bath]. "Want juice?" [tap juice]. You are not making them repeat after you or testing them. You are simply showing them how it works, the same way they learned spoken language by hearing you talk before they ever said a word themselves.
2. Start small. You do not need to teach 500 words at once. Begin with 5 to 10 words that are meaningful to your child -- favorite foods, family members, activities they love.
3. Follow their lead. If your child taps "dog" for the tenth time, do not redirect them. Celebrate it. They are communicating. Respond as you would to any spoken word.
4. Be patient, and know what early progress looks like. Some children start using AAC with intention within days. For others, it takes weeks or months of exposure. Both timelines are normal. Early signs of progress are often subtle: your child may look at the screen when you model a word, reach toward the device, start exploring buttons on their own, or tap a word even if it does not seem intentional yet. These are all meaningful steps. You may not see full sentences for a while, and that is okay. Any increase in engagement with the tool is forward movement.
5. Make it available. Keep the AAC tool accessible throughout the day, not just during "practice time." Communication happens during meals, play, transitions, and bedtime.

AAC and Your Child's Therapy Team

If your child is already working with a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), bring up AAC with them. Many SLPs are well-versed in AAC and can help you choose the right approach, customize vocabulary for your child, and guide you on how to model effectively. If your child has an IEP (Individualized Education Program) at school, AAC tools can be written into their communication goals.

That said, you do not need to wait for a professional recommendation to start exploring AAC at home. Parents are often the first ones to introduce it, and that is perfectly fine. You know your child better than anyone. The key is to do both: start exploring now and bring your child's SLP or therapy team into the process when you can. They can help you refine what you are already doing.

If your child uses AAC both at home and at school, try to coordinate vocabulary with their teacher or therapist. Using the same words in both settings helps your child build consistency. For example, if the classroom is using "bathroom" and "help" as key words, make sure those same words are easily accessible in the app at home too.

You Are Not Behind

If you are reading this article, you are already doing something important -- you are looking for ways to help your child communicate. That matters more than whether you start today or next week, whether you use an app or picture cards, whether your child says their first word at age 3 or age 7.

AAC is not giving up on speech. It is giving your child a voice right now, while they are still learning. And that voice -- however it sounds, however it is delivered -- changes everything.