Professional Corner
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Connecting
Young Kids
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Connecting Young
Kids (YAACK) is a website that covers issues related to AAC and young
children. Its purpose is to provide information and guidance to families,
teachers, speech/language pathologists and anyone else who is involved
with a child with special communication needs.
It is intended to be easy to understand and practical, and to cover
a wide range of topics dealing with AAC and AAC-related issues of
children at various ages and stages of communication ability, and
with different strengths, disabilities and learning characteristics.
YAACK is based on the premise that the purpose of AAC is to assist
the child in attaining the quality of life that approaches the level
of satisfaction and meaningfulness that would have been possible if
the child did not have a communication disability. Therefore, the
child's ability to communicate when, where and what is desired is
the goal; AAC is just the means. YAACK emphasizes the individuality
of each child, and stresses the fact that there is no single solution
or set of procedures that will work for every child. Success depends
on really getting to know and understand the child, and then developing
and implementing a communication program that takes into account his
or her unique characteristics.
How is YAACK organized?
YAACK is composed of three main sections. The first, How to get
started gives background on AAC, lists specific organizations that
provide support and assistance to children with AAC needs and their
families, and offers suggestions on how to create and maintain an
effective AAC team. The second section, Choosing an AAC system covers
the AAC assessment, describes characteristics of and issues relating
to the different AAC systems and devices that are in use today, and
includes information on how to obtain a device.
The third section, Teaching offers both general tips as well as
specific methods and techniques that have proven successful in teaching
AAC and AAC-related skills to infants, toddlers and young children
with different communication needs.
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