This textbook presents a life-span approach to improving the lives of children and adults who have severe communication disorders due to autism, traumatic brain injury, intellectual disabilities, or sensory impairments. Step-by-step intervention approaches are offered, as well as thorough discussions of principles and procedures of assessment; planning and implementation of AAC intervention; symbol options; alternative access; message management; vocabulary selection; service delivery; This update of the widely-used and well-respected earlier editions offers more information on individuals with acquired disabilities and continues to emphasize putting the AAC user first.

Table of Contents

AAC Processes; Introduction: What Is Augmentative and Alternative Communication? Messaging: Vocabulary, Small Talk, and Storytelling; Symbols and Rate Enhancement; Alternative Access; Team Building for AAC Assessment and Intervention; Principles of Assessment; Assessment of Specific Capabilities; Principles of Decision Making and Intervention; AAC: Interventions For Individuals With Developmental Disabilities; AAC Issues for People with Developmental Disabilities; AAC Strategies for Beginning Communicators: Building Opportunities and Nonsymbolic Communication; AAC Strategies for Beginning Communicators: Symbolic Approaches to Communication; Language Learning and Development; Literacy Development of AAC Users; Educational Inclusion of AAC Users; AAC: Interventions For Individuals With Acquired Disabilities; Adults with Acquired Physical Disabilities; Adults with Degenerative; Language/Cognition Disorders; Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury; AAC in Intensive and Acute Care Settings; Index

Reviews

"Richer and even more thought-provoking than the first two [editions]."