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Purpose: The purpose of this article is to revisit the role of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in poststroke aphasia rehabilitation. The authors' intent is to provide a viewpoint that expands the use of AAC in poststroke aphasia rehabilitation. Specifically, we seek to clarify the role of AAC in restorative and participation approaches to aphasia rehabilitation while also considering the role of AAC in a comprehensive treatment plan. The authors support their viewpoint with citations from both the historic and contemporary literature on aphasia rehabilitation.
Conclusions: A thought-provoking viewpoint on the role of AAC in poststroke aphasia rehabilitation is proposed. More specifically, the versatility of AAC strategies is reviewed, with an emphasis on how AAC can be used to empower people with aphasia to fully participate and engage in life activities with increased independence. Moreover, we argue that AAC can be viewed as a dual-purpose tool that can simultaneously serve to drive intersystemic reorganization resulting in some improved language performance-and perhaps restoration of language function-while offering a communication alternative during inevitable anomic events.
Phe participation model for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC; Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013) underscores the importance of the ongoing nature of AAC assessment requiring clinicians to concurrently address a person's needs "today" while preparing for "tomorrow" (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013, p. 109). Key to this model is an emphasis on assessing/ reassessing a person's potential to "increase natural ability" (p. 117) while focusing on participation needs. The participation model does not characterize AAC and traditional restorative treatments as mutually exclusive; instead, these are interdependent elements required for successful participation in meaningful activities, an approach compatible with the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA; Chapey et al., 2000; LPAA Group et al., 2008). As such, we offer a thought-provoking examination of the role of AAC in aphasia rehabilitation.
Trends in AAC Use in Aphasia
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Practice Portal (ASHA, 2019) on AAC, AAC can be defined as an .integrated group of components to enhance communication. " Oftentimes, when AAC is considered, only aided supports come to mind. These include low-tech strategies such as writing, photos, objects, and communication books as well as high-tech options that include speech-generating devices, and AAC communication applications (i.e., apps) on mobile technologies...