What is the difference while using AAC for Communication Vs Language Development?

Modified on Mon, 25 Nov, 2024 at 4:12 PM

The difference between using AAC for communication versus language development lies in the purpose, focus and approach.

Key Differences in focus

Teaching communication with AAC is about giving the child tools to express themselves immediately and effectively.
Teaching language development with AAC involves systematically building their understanding of language structures and expanding their ability to communicate complex ideas.

Using AAC for Communication Vs Language development

Aspect	AAC For Communication	AAC For Language Development
Purpose	To express their immediate needs, wants, thoughts, and feelings effectively.	To develop vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
Focus	Practical and functional use of communication	expanding their ability to combine words or symbols
Primary Goal	Immediate expression of needs and ideas	Building underlying language structures
Examples of goals	1. Learning to press a button on a device to say "I want water." 2. Pointing to pictures or symbols to express emotions or needs.	1. Developing sentence-building skills (e.g., combining "want" + "cookie"). 2. Expanding vocabulary and understanding of word categories (e.g., animals, colors). 3. Understanding grammar concepts like plurals, tenses, or pronouns through AAC.
Type of Teaching	Context-driven (e.g., in daily activities)	Systematic and developmental (e.g., teaching syntax)
Examples of Lessons	Pointing to "drink" when thirsty	Learning to combine "I want" + "drink"
Focus on Complexity	Simple and functional	Progressive and developmental

Aspect	Communication	Language Development
Focus	Immediate needs and functional use of AAC	Long-term acquisition of vocabulary and rules
Modeling	Demonstrating immediate use (e.g., "want water")	Modeling sentence-building (e.g., "I want water")
Vocabulary	Core and context-specific words	Expanding categories and word types (e.g., verbs, adjectives)
Prompts	Heavily prompted for immediate response	Reduced prompting to encourage independent use
Complexity	Single words or simple phrases	Multi-word sentences, grammar, and syntax

The common approaches for both Communication and Language development are:

Modelling: Both require consistent modeling and opportunities for practice. What is modelling?
AAC Integration: Both approaches integrate AAC into daily routines and activities.
Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is key to encouraging both communication and language use.

References:

Avaz FAQ: How to develop language using Avaz?