#mid tech aac

[vixdesl]

[anautistic]

AAC is not just high tech, grid based, symbol AAC. It can be ANY communication that is Augmentative, Alternative, (Or Adaptive!) to speech. TTS is one common type of high tech AAC. Writing on a whiteboard is a common type of low tech AAC. Pointing to letters or symbols on a print out with a body part or pointing device is AAC. Blinking to indicate a choice in assisted scanning or to say yes/no is AAC. Texting/PMing/EMailing someone can be AAC. Showing or pointing to objects can be AAC. Gestures can be AAC. I couldn't even list all the ways you could use AAC, there's so much.

It helps to not think of AAC as a set of things and more as a type of communication, one that doesn't necessitate relying on speech.

When someone says "they use AAC" it shouldn't be assumed they mean high tech, symbol based AAC, because that's only one type of AAC that people use.

[asexual-amanita]

AAC stands for Augmentative and alternative communication. This essentially is an umbrella term including all* the ways you can communicate besides talking. *(This excludes formal sign language, as sign language is an actual language with its own grammar and culture.)

AAC is for everyone who benefits from it, including but not limited to, nonspeaking people, people whose speech can’t be understood, those with verbal shutdowns, and people whose cant speak due to physical disabilities. Even if you don’t fit into any one of those categories, AAC is for everyone who would benefit from using it!

Since AAC is an umbrella term, there are lots of different kinds of AAC. The 4 main types are no tech, low tech, mid tech, and high tech.

No-tech AAC is a form of communication using no other materials other than your body. This includes makaton, pointing, blinking, looking up or down, turning head left or right, nodding or shaking head, and so much more! Body movements can represent different words or letters. For instance a very simple communication system could look like having the person turn their head, with right meaning yes, and left meaning no.

Low-tech AAC is AAC that uses non electronic equipment to communicate. This includes S2C (spelling to communicate) letter boards, communication cards, PODD books, PEC cards, pen and paper, printed communication board, and more!

Mid-tech AAC tools are generally battery operated electronic devices with simpler functions than high-tech AAC. Examples of mid-tech include a single button, programmed so speak a simple message, or a device like a GoTalk, with a limited number of pre-programmed messages.

High-tech AAC are customizable electronic devices with advanced processors, and wider vocabulary. Examples of this include iPads or tablets with downloaded symbol based AAC apps, dedicated devices like a Tobii Dynavox, or an eye tracking system connected to a computer with proloquo4text, and so, so much more.

Credit to @blackholemojis for the image of the AAC user on the banner.

[b0x-the-aac]

AAC Awareness Month Challenge 2025 (#aacmonthchallenge2025)

Thank you to our friends in the AAC Hangout discord server for their ideas* ♡

Feel free to answer as much or as little as you want

Day 1 : (High Tech) Share a picture of your home screen!

Day 2 : Do you decorate your AAC? How so?

Day 3 : Do you theme your AAC? How so?

Day 4 : What level of tech (high, mid, low, no) do you prefer?

Day 5 : (No Tech) Do you have a special gesture for yourself/your important people?

Day 6* : Use your AAC to share some lyrics from your favorite song!

Day 7 : (High Tech) What app do you use? Why?

Day 8 : (Low Tech) What type of low tech AAC do you use? Why?

Day 9 : Do you stim with your AAC?

Day 10 : What's your favorite button/card? Favorite image?

Day 11 : (No Tech) If you can do so, what's your favorite sound to make?

Day 12 : Use your AAC to share clues about your favorite movie! Can others guess what it is?

Day 13 : Who is someone you feel comfortable using AAC with? Why?

Day 14 : If you could use a new type of AAC for a day, what would you choose? Why?

Day 15 : Where do you get your symbols from (if applicable)?

Day 16 : (High Tech) Do you prefer text-to-speech or symbol-to-speech? Why?

Day 17 : How do you get comfortable using AAC?

Day 18 : Why do you use AAC?

Day 19 : What terms do you identify with? (Verbality, Part/Full Time User, Support Needs, ect)

Day 20 : When do you most often use AAC?

Day 21 : Do you find that AAC helps you?

Day 22 : How do you convey your emotions with AAC? (ie emotions board, cards, ect)

Day 23 : (High Tech) What does your home board look like?

Day 24 : Shout out a favorite AAC content creator! (ie symbol maker, AAC user, ect)

Day 25 : Are you in any AAC oriented spaces? (ie discord servers, IRL clubs, ect)

Day 26 : Do you know sign language? (NOTE! Sign language is not AAC, they are independent languages with their own history and culture)

Day 27 : Do you use any other assistive technology to use AAC? (ie eye gaze, head tracking, ect)

Day 28 : What does your AAC voice sound like? Why did you choose it?

Day 29 : Have you seen any good AAC representation? (ie books, movies, shows, ect)

Day 30 : What's something you want non-AAC users to know?

Day 31 : What's something you want new AAC users to know?

[nemo-bros]

i think lots of people do not realize how long it takes to set up aac (low tech or high tech)

low tech requires lots of printing and cutting and laminating and hole punching and more cutting etc

and high tech requires hours of sitting with device and customizing not just settings but words, folders, layout etc

[sssnek-king]

what is aac?

a lot of people have been asking so i will share my wisdom :P

aac stands for alternative + augmentative communication meaning used instead of or as well as spoken/signed language

aac is used mostly by people who can't speak/sign at all or have difficulty doing so but it can be used by anyone regardless of their ability to speak/sign

aac can be sorted into 4 groups: no tech, low tech, mid tech + high tech

no tech:

gestures

pointing

nodding

blinking

low tech:

drawing on paper

writing on paper

communication cards

mid tech:

pre programmed device/buttons that say only one/a limited number of words when pressed

high tech:

specialised aac devices

aac apps like cboard and weavechat

misconceptions:

only high tech aac is "real aac"- aac is any alternative form of communication and many versions don't require any tech

only nonverbal people are "allowed" to use aac and anyone else using it is taking resources from them- anyone can use aac and the more people that use it the more it will become accepted and recognized and the more people who "really need it" will have access to it without barriers and the less people will feel self consious/judged using it. unless you were to physically take someones aac device/communication cards you are not taking resources from them

i need specialized tech in order to use aac- whilst there are specialized aac devices you don't need to them to use aac. many aac apps can be downloaded on a regular phone or tablet and low/no tech aac uses things that you [probably] already have (your body, paper, a pen, maybe a laminating sheet for more permanent communication cards)

if you still dont get it theres also this which is really easy to understand and has a billion accessiblity options which is so cool

[the-autistic-junebug]

366 Days of AAC

I've created a calendar with 366 days of AAC prompts! The days are numbered, but you are able to really start anywhere you want.

The prompts are somewhat aligned to national days, but I tried to keep things varied and they might not always line up with a national day. I also did my best to make them relatable where I could, but you might not always have a strong answer for a question.

Enjoy!

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[this-is-aac-joy]

This blog is dedicated to posting and reblogging positive moments with AAC!

Please feel free to tag us @this-is-aac-joy or send an ask so we can spread the happiness

All AAC types are welcome, no matter what - whether you're a part-time/full-time AAC user, whether you use high/mid/low/no tech AAC, anything!

Anon List

🌞, 🐀,

Disclaimer : Mod is a part-time AAC user due to speech/thought difficulties caused by schizophrenia. Please be patient with it.