Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Speaking Autistic Adults: Overview and Recommendations
Zisk and Dalton (2019)
Developments in technology have seen the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) increase. This includes Autistic people, however much of the research has focused on non-speaking Autistic children. This article addresses this gap and details the strategies and experiences of Autistic adults. The authors give an overview of speech differences including difficulties with speech depending on environment and content. They explore a range of free or low-cost tools that are not specific to AAC, before exploring barriers to AAC use. These barriers include lack of awareness, misconceptions around who AAC supports, and cost factors. The authors call for further research but stress overall communication rather than just speech should be a priority.
