An SLP, which stands for speech-language pathologist, is an individual who assesses, diagnoses, and treats people with speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. SLPs can also provide aural rehabilitation for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as provide AAC systems for individuals with complex communication disorders, such as autism or neurological disorders.

www.asha.org/students/speech-language-pathologists/

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. This refers to all the ways an individual communicates besides talking. Children and adults may need other ways to communicate if they have difficulty relying on their speech. Augmentative communication means to add to one’s speech. Alternative communication is used instead of one’s speech. There are many different types of AAC.

There are no tech and low tech options:

• gestures/facial expressions

• writing/drawing

• spelling words by pointing to letters

• pointing to pictures or photos

And high tech options:

• using a voice output app on an iPad or tablet

• Using a speech generating device

https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/aac/

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association