Augmentative and Alternative Communication for the Classroom

Including learners with severe communication disabilities in the classroom can be challenging. Communication is integral to classroom learning – it is not only the vehicle by which information is conveyed but is also central to the process of co-constructing meaning through dialogue and discussion. The aim of this chapter is to provide a narrative review of evidence-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods that can be used to make classrooms more inclusive for learners who struggle with the traditional classroom communication methods. The chapter commences by briefly framing the role of AAC in facilitating classroom inclusion, specifically in low-resource contexts. This is followed by a brief overview of AAC and learners who may benefit from it. Three AAC strategies that are useful in classroom contexts will then be reviewed, namely aided augmented input, unaided augmented input, and visual schedules. For each strategy, the evidence for effectiveness will be summarized, and literature on classroom implementation will be discussed. Important considerations for classroom implementation will also be highlighted.