If someone in your family is nonverbal or has significant communication difficulties, you have probably heard the term AAC. Perhaps a speech pathologist mentioned it, or it came up in an NDIS planning meeting. You may have seen an iPad mounted in a rugged case and wondered whether that counts. Or you may be trying to understand what options exist before your next OT or SLP appointment.
This guide answers the most common questions Australian families, educators, and support workers have about AAC devices: what they are, who uses them, how they work, and how to access them through the NDIS.
What does AAC stand for?
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. It refers to any method, tool, or strategy that supports or replaces spoken language for people who have difficulty communicating verbally.
The word "augmentative" means adding to existing communication. The word "alternative" means replacing it where speech is not possible. In practice, most people who use AAC do both at different times and in different contexts.
AAC is not one thing. It is a spectrum of tools and approaches ranging from very simple, low-cost strategies to sophisticated technology. What they share is a common purpose: giving people a reliable way to communicate, express themselves, and participate in daily life.
Who uses AAC?
AAC is used by children and adults with a wide range of conditions that affect speech and language. Common reasons include:
Autism spectrum disorder. Many autistic individuals are nonspeaking or minimally verbal, particularly in high-stress situations. AAC provides a consistent, reliable communication channel that does not depend on the same neurological pathways as spoken language.
Cerebral palsy. Motor difficulties can affect the muscles involved in speech, making verbal communication effortful or unclear. AAC provides an alternative output that does not require fine oral motor control.
Intellectual disability. Cognitive and language processing differences can make spoken language development difficult. AAC provides a supported pathway to communication.
Developmental language disorder. Some children have significant difficulty acquiring and using spoken language despite typical cognitive ability. AAC can support communication while speech and language development continues.
Acquired conditions. Adults who have experienced stroke, traumatic brain injury, motor neurone disease, or other acquired conditions may lose the ability to speak. AAC provides a way to continue communicating.
An important principle in AAC is that it does not prevent speech development. Research consistently shows that introducing AAC to children who are minimally verbal does not reduce their motivation to speak and in many cases supports spoken language development alongside it.
What types of AAC devices are there?
AAC is typically divided into two broad categories: low-tech and high-tech. Understanding the difference helps families and educators know which options to explore first and how they might work together.
Low-tech AAC
Low-tech AAC does not require power or electronics. It includes:
Communication boards. A board, book, or card set featuring symbols, photographs, or words that the user points to in order to communicate. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is one well-known approach that uses cards the user physically hands to a communication partner.
Core word boards. A display showing the most frequently used words in the English language, arranged so commonly needed words are always accessible. Core word boards can be used across almost any situation.
Visual schedules and choice boards. While not strictly communication devices, these support comprehension and reduce anxiety by making daily structure visible.
Low-tech AAC is inexpensive, robust, always available even when a battery dies, and highly flexible. Many SLPs recommend starting with or maintaining low-tech options alongside higher-tech tools.
High-tech AAC
High-tech AAC involves electronic devices with dedicated communication software. There are two main forms:
Dedicated AAC devices. Purpose-built hardware that runs communication software and nothing else. The GoTalk range from Attainment Company is an example: robust, simple, button-activated devices that play pre-recorded messages when pressed. These are well suited to users who need a durable, focused device for specific communication situations.
iPad-based AAC. An Apple iPad running a dedicated AAC application. This is currently the most common high-tech AAC platform in Australia. The iPad provides access to sophisticated, customisable vocabulary systems through apps while also functioning as a general-purpose device for learning, leisure, and communication.
Is an iPad an AAC device?
An iPad on its own is not an AAC device. It becomes one when it is running a dedicated AAC application that provides a symbol-based or text-based vocabulary system designed for communication support.
The most widely used AAC apps on iPad in Australia include:
Proloquo2Go by AssistiveWare: a symbol-based AAC app used across a wide range of ages and communication levels, from beginning communicators to those needing robust vocabulary for complex expression. It is the most widely prescribed AAC app in Australia and is available as part of a complete Proloquo2Go bundle through Assistive Tech.
LAMP Words for Life: an app based on the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning methodology, which uses consistent motor patterns to support language learning for nonspeaking individuals, particularly those with autism.
TD Snap: a flexible, grid-based AAC app used across a wide range of needs and settings, with a particular strength in school environments.
TouchChat: a widely used symbol-based communication app with multiple vocabulary options including Unity, one of the most established AAC vocabulary systems globally.
When an iPad is configured as an AAC device for an NDIS participant, it is typically set up in guided access mode to limit navigation to the communication app, and fitted with a protective case designed for assistive technology environments. The GoNow case from Attainment Company is purpose-built for this, with acoustic design that channels audio forward rather than muffling it. This matters significantly for apps where voice output is the primary communication method.
What is the difference between a dedicated AAC device and an iPad?
Both have a place in AAC practice and the right choice depends on the individual's needs, environment, and funding situation.
Dedicated devices like the GoTalk range are simpler, more robust, and have a very low barrier to use. They are ideal for users who need reliable access to a focused set of messages, for classroom and therapy settings where simplicity matters, and for individuals who may not be ready for the complexity of a full vocabulary system.
iPad-based AAC offers a much richer vocabulary system, customisation options, and the ability to grow with the user over time. It is the platform most SLPs now recommend for individuals who can benefit from a robust, expanding vocabulary. The iPad is also a device the user can carry into all areas of life without stigma, which matters for social participation.
Many AAC users benefit from both: a simpler dedicated device in certain environments, and an iPad-based system for fuller communication across daily life.
How does NDIS funding work for AAC devices?
AAC devices can be funded through an NDIS plan, but the pathway depends on the type of device and how your plan is written. It is important to understand the distinction between items that are directly funded and those that require a separate approval process.
Low-cost dedicated devices such as communication boards and GoTalk devices can generally be purchased directly as low-cost assistive technology without a formal assessment, provided the item is consistent with your plan goals.
iPad-based AAC bundles (including the iPad, the communication app, and protective case) fall into the Replacement Supports category under the NDIS rules that came into effect on 3 October 2024. This means that even if you have funding in your plan intended for a communication device, the specific items must either be named in your plan or you must have a Replacement Supports Approval letter from the NDIS before purchasing.
The Replacement Supports approval process involves submitting an application to the NDIS with supporting evidence. For an iPad and communication app, this evidence typically includes a recommendation from a speech pathologist confirming that the iPad and app are necessary to address the participant's communication needs, that they represent better value than a dedicated communication device, that they are for the participant's dedicated use, and that they deliver equivalent or better outcomes. You will also need a draft service agreement showing the cost of the specific items and a completed Replacement Supports Form.
Once approval is granted, you will receive a Replacement Supports Approval Letter which your plan manager or Assistive Tech will need before processing your order. For a full guide to the process including how to complete the form and what to include in your application, read our detailed Replacement Supports guide.
If you are a speech pathologist or other allied health professional preparing AAC recommendations, our guide on AI in clinical practice for NDIS providers covers the regulatory considerations when using AI to help draft supporting letters.
As a registered NDIS provider, Assistive Tech supplies complete AAC bundles that include the iPad, Proloquo2Go app, GoNow protective case, and screen protector in a single NDIS-ready package. Our team can create the draft service agreement you need for your Replacement Supports application, and we work directly with support coordinators and plan managers throughout the process. Contact our team on 1300 088 222 if you have questions about AAC products or NDIS pathways.
At what age can a child start using AAC?
There is no minimum age for AAC. Research and clinical practice increasingly support introducing AAC as early as possible, including for infants and toddlers who show signs of communication difficulty. Early access to AAC supports language development, reduces frustration, and builds communication habits that carry through into adulthood.
The idea that a child must first reach a certain level of speech development before being given AAC is outdated. Modern AAC practice takes an "all means of communication" approach: AAC alongside speech, gesture, facial expression, and any other means the person uses.
Will using AAC stop my child from talking?
No. This is one of the most common concerns families have, and it is not supported by the evidence. Research consistently shows that introducing AAC does not reduce a child's motivation to speak or slow speech development. For many children, having a reliable communication system actually reduces frustration and creates more opportunities for communication of all kinds, including spoken language.
Where to start
If you are new to AAC, the most important first step is a referral to a speech pathologist experienced in AAC assessment. From there, the SLP will guide the assessment process, recommend appropriate devices and apps, and support the NDIS funding pathway.
In the meantime, browsing the GoTalk range and AAC apps available through Assistive Tech will give you a sense of the options. Our team is also available to answer questions about specific products, NDIS documentation, and which solutions are most commonly recommended for different communication profiles.
Assistive Tech is a registered NDIS provider and Australia's specialist retailer for AAC devices, apps, and accessories. We support families, educators, speech pathologists, and support coordinators with fast shipping, local stock, and NDIS-ready invoicing.
