In AAC, what is an 'aid'?

• A. A physical object or device used to transmit or receive messages
• B. A method of transmitting a message
• C. A symbol or sign used for communication
• D. A strategy for choosing messages

Answer: (A)

An aid in AAC is the physical tool that makes communication possible by transmitting or receiving messages. This can be a low-tech item like a picture board or symbol cards, a communication book, or a high-tech device like a speech-generating tablet or app. The key idea is that the aid is the tangible object or device used to convey the message, rather than the method of communication, the symbols themselves, or the strategies for choosing what to say. Aids can be either low-tech or high-tech and are selected to match the user’s abilities and goals within the overall AAC system.