AAC for Individuals with Severe Intellectual Disabilities: Ideas for Nonsymbolic Communicators

Abstract

This paper describes effective augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) practices for nonsymbolic communicators with severe intellectual disabilities (SID). Eligibility issues related to AAC for individuals with SID are examined, with the conclusion that AAC is appropriate for any individual displaying unmet communication needs. Strengths and challenges for perlocutionary and illocutionary individuals are reviewed and a representative sample of AAC practices for these populations is discussed. In addition, ideas for implementation of these practices are reviewed within a tri-focused treatment context. The paper concludes with a discussion of how stakeholders might work to re-define the concept of AAC success for individuals with SID.