AAC Support for Apraxia

The frustration of childhood apraxia of speech

Kiddos who face childhood apraxia of speech, or CAS, are constantly experiencing a verbal “knock down drag out” fight.  How frustrating would it be to want to say “ball” and not be able to?  Or to be able to produce sounds, but for other people to hear only gibberish…it’s discouraging to say the least.

This is just a small fraction of what kiddos with childhood apraxia of speech endure every day.

Another way

What if this wasn’t the case?  What if we could bridge that gap for children with CAS so that we could understand what they meant?  What if they could tell us, even without words, what they want us to know?

We already have the means in place.  It’s called augmentative/alternative communication, or AAC.  As one site put it, AAC is “any form of communication that a person can use that is not speech.”  It sounds vague, right?  Let’s take a closer look.

More on AAC

You’ve already heard of some of these modes of AAC.  For example, gestures and body language, written messages (paper or typed), and sign language are forms of AAC.  Here are some that you may not be as familiar with:

  • Object Symbols (objects glued to cards)
  • Picture Boards
  • Picture Exchange
  • Single Button Voice-Output Devices
  • Multi-Button Voice-Output Devices
  • Dynamic-Display Voice-Output Devices

Against AAC

There are some parents and even professionals who don’t want to introduce AAC to children with apraxia of speech.  The main worries are:

  • It will make the child less motivated to learn how to communicate verbally
  • It means that the speech therapist has given up on teaching the child how to communicate verbally
  • It’s too expensive

Pro AAC

Yes, AAC is a support for verbal communication.  And yes, AAC  is a communication shortcut for a kiddo who can’t express himself verbally, or at least not effectively (yet).  However, whether speaking, pointing at pictures, or using an app on an iPad, these are all forms of communication.  And communication is the main goal.  Again, studies have shown that when children can communicate successfully, even if it’s with non-verbal means, all the more it encourages them to try harder to verbally communicate.

Also, speech therapists who offer or advise AAC are just trying to make all options available for the kiddo with CAS.  And as far as prices go, there are programs out there to give free AAC devices to all who qualify.  Also, there are AAC options that are low tech and high tech, meaning prices vary greatly.  Certain schools also offer the free use of AAC devices for children that need them.

More than words

It’s up to individual families whether they want to pursue AAC for their child who has CAS.  But one thing is clear: children with CAS eventually become frustrated at not being able to verbalize their thoughts, and that frustration only grows as they get older.  Also, as children age, the more they need to communicate effectively to be successful in school and other social situations.

If you’re interested in AAC for your child, seek out the help of a speech therapist who is specifically trained in both CAS and AAC.  

Of course you want to hear your child say the words “I love you…” but as one song  that was popular in the 90’s put it (here I go dating myself), “more than words” is sometimes the best way to go.

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