October is AAC Awareness Month, which makes it a good time to clear up a few common misconceptions we hear from families.

AAC, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, is simply a way to help a child communicate when speech isn’t yet reliable. This can mean using gestures, pictures, or technology, depending on the child’s needs.

What’s important to know is that AAC doesn’t replace speech. It gives children another way to communicate while speech and language skills continue to develop.

What We See in Practice

In our clinic, speech-language pathologists may introduce AAC tools when a child:

Uses few or no words by 18–24 months, or isn’t yet combining words after age 2.

• Shows frustration or behaviors linked to communication breakdowns (crying, pushing, leading by hand)

• Uses scripted or repetitive phrases but has difficulty generating original language (often seen in Gestalt language processors or children with autism)

• Benefits from consistent, visual ways to understand and express ideas, especially when verbal communication alone isn’t reliable

• Shows understanding of language but can’t yet use words to match it

How We Approach AAC

Our SLPs take a functional and family-centered approach.

That means using AAC in everyday routines, mealtime, play, dressing, or reading, where communication naturally happens. Parents learn to model and respond, not just prompt.

AAC can look as simple as a picture board on the fridge or as advanced as a dynamic display device. What matters most is giving the child a voice they can use now, not “someday.”

Why Early Introduction Makes a Difference

Early communication success builds trust, between parent and child, and between thought and expression. That’s the foundation for language, emotional regulation, and learning.

If you’re curious about AAC or wondering if your child might benefit, reach out. Our speech therapy team in Olathe and the greater Kansas City area is here to help families navigate those early decisions.