Aided Communication

Aided language modeling or stimulation is a language intervention technique that uses augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to facilitate communication in children with limited or no functional communication. SLPs can use this aided communication technique in therapy, or parents can implement this in day-to-day life. Aided communication is demonstrated in context to present an augmented interaction model using the AAC device as the main mode of communication for the child. This will then allow the child to mirror the interaction in the future.

This model was found to lead to gains in communication, syntax, morphology, semantics, pragmatics, maintenance, and generalization. It incorporates the child’s likes and dislikes and their abilities to lay a foundation for the implementation of the aided language modeling visually and verbally.

Essentially, aided communication is modeled as verbal input is modeled to verbal children,  but a non-verbal child would use their AAC device in response or to initiate communication. The aided language modeling relies on scripted, non-scripted, and play-based intervention.¹ 

As a verbal child learns word part, semantics, and labeling, a non- or minimally-verbal child would learn to comprehend similarly just relying on their AAC device to be able to communicate. Prompting learning through things like verbal routines, communication temptations, play-based interventions, etc. would all be appropriate.

Systematic Review of Implementation of AAC devices

The systematic review defined aided language modeling as “language intervention that is embedded into functional and meaningful contexts that promotes transaction communication in a natural environment.”²

Some significant findings from the review are as follows:

-Fewer gestures were used, and instead children accessed the AAC devices to expand their vocabulary and comprehension (Binger 2009)³

-Improvement in expressive communication

-Sign plus AAC use is more effective than sign alone (Lacono, 1995)⁴

-Improved parent-perceptions

-Faster vocabulary production

-Improvements in pragmatics, semantics, syntax, morphology, spontaneous communication, social interactions

• Citations

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• Source

  “Aided Language Stimulation Leading to Functional Communication Gains in Children Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication,” Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, BESt 211 (2018): 1-15.