Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services
AAC is a range of strategies and tools from simple letter or picture boards to sophisticated computer technologies. AAC helps someone to communicate as effectively as possible, in as many situations as possible. Find out more about AAC on the Communication Matters website.
A group of professionals from across the whole of Devon have worked with parents and carers to create a free interactive training programme that provides an introduction to AAC that focuses on the following areas:
- What is AAC?
- AAC themes and myths
- Where can I find out more?
The free training is suitable for parents, carers and professionals and can be accessed at Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – an introduction.
Vranch House specialist AAC outreach service
Vranch House in Exeter provides an AAC intervention service for children aged 0 – 18 who are likely to benefit from high tech AAC – those who are non-speaking or who have limited speech which is mostly unintelligible.
The service sees children from Exeter, East, Mid, North and South Devon. Appointments may be virtual, in the child’s school or in one of our clinic spaces.
To access this service you need to submit a request for help from Children and Family Health Devon, using their referral forms. Requests can be made by parents and carers, or young people themselves if they are 16+, as well as by some practitioners.
AAC West
AAC West is commissioned by NHS England to provide an AAC service to the South West of England.
Makaton
Today over 100,000 children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs, either as their main method of communication or as a way to support speech.
In addition to children and adults with communication and learning difficulties and the community around them (for example, teachers, health professionals, friends, public service bodies etc), Makaton is increasingly used by the general public to aid communication.
Makaton has been shown to be useful for all sorts of people including those who struggle with understanding concepts, those who have poor literacy skills, including grammatical knowledge, and those with English as an additional language.
By using Makaton, children and adults can take a more active part in life, because communication and language are key to everything we do and learn.
For more information, please visit the Makaton website.