Fundamentals of AAC: A Case-Based Approach to Enhancing Communication

The second edition of Fundamentals of AAC: A Case-Based Approach to Enhancing Communication continues to be a course-friendly textbook designed to walk readers through the theoretical and clinical underpinnings of assessment, intervention, and consultation for individuals with complex communication needs across the lifespan. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) encompasses a variety of communication methods and is used by those with a wide range of speech and language impairments. With a consistent framework and descriptive case studies, as well as input from various stakeholders, readers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs of persons who use AAC and how to provide them with ethically and culturally considerate support.

Unlike other texts on this topic, this book empowers the reader to visualize AAC in action. Each chapter offers evidence-based information about the topic along with a case study. The case studies combined with short essays from various stakeholders illustrate the variety of ways in which AAC can enhance an individual’s connection with their communication partners and community, and the role of the speech-language pathologist as integral to this process.

Intended to easily translate into a 6-, 8-, or 13-week semester course, this textbook is divided into seven distinct sections:

• Section I provides an overview of AAC, no-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech AAC systems, as well as mobile technology and advancing technology.
• Section II discusses cultural and linguistic responsivity and how this underlies AAC systems and services.
• Section III reviews AAC assessment, intervention and implementation for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged individuals, along with goal-writing and data collection.
• Section IV covers assessment, intervention, and implementation for young adults and adults needing AAC.
• Section V offers the reader detailed information and rich examples of the application of AAC for persons with developmental disabilities.
• Section VI provides the theoretical foundation and exemplar case studies of AAC for persons with acquired disabilities.
• Section VII details consultation and training for various stakeholders, as well as tele-AAC services.

New to the Second Edition

• A chapter dedicated to AAC and literacy
• Updated information about technology advancements, including artificial intelligence, extended reality, and automation
• New photos and videos
• Updated intervention resources
• Report-writing tools
• Improved instructor tools

Key Features

• 36 case studies with questions and visuals to clearly depict each case
• Boxes with practical tips and expert advice

PluralPlus Online Ancillaries

For instructors: Instructor's Manual, PowerPoint Slides, Test Bank, Case Studies, Videos, Syllabus, Activities/Exercises, Links to Related Resources, And More
For students: Image Bank, Links to Related Resources

Reviews

Reviews of the First Edition:

"A wonderful resource in an easy-to-read format that provides the most current and relevant information about all things AAC! The case studies are a great way to illustrate the points made in the narrative. Authorship by an AAC user such as Chris Klein helps support the need for understanding in this area. The book covers the lifespan of AAC (children to adults) and addresses low-tech to high-tech options in a variety of settings (school, home, ICU, etc).  ...I particularly like the information on tele-AAC. As practitioners."
—Jyutika Mehta, PhD, CCC-SLP, Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Oral Health, Texas Woman’s University 

"This is the MOST complete and integrated text I’ve seen, and I think I have desk copies of every AAC text in print.  ...I especially appreciate the consistent organization of the case studies. I think this will maximize what students/clinicians are able to take away in terms of a clinical reasoning perspective.  ...This book integrates the components of AAC practice that I have cobbled together over the last five years of teaching AAC to graduate students. I especially appreciate the Essays component and the extensive resources on culturally and linguistically diverse clients. The acknowledgement of religion as a major life function and the vocabulary subsets included are unique to this text. Addressing the needs of queer clients is huge, as is acknowledging and confronting the realities of sexual exploitation of people with disabilities. Further, this text really tackles goal writing and data collection (including prompting hierarchies and techniques) in a way that helps clinicians focus on the things that are IMPORTANT to measure rather than CONVENIENT to measure – a distinction I work hard to instill in my graduate cohorts. IPE/IPP and consideration processes for AAC are vital, and I appreciate the inclusion of communication partner training sections. The case profiles are fantastic as are the wide varieties of disorders/contexts in which AAC might be integrated (especially complex trauma, issues with CVI, differentiating developmental disorders and addressing them individually – all very appreciated)."
—Nikki Murphy, MS, CCC-SLP, Lecturer and Graduate Adviser, Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

"The book was honestly well written, extremely relevant and up to date, included case studies for application, included protocols to use to help with problem solving different cases, and highlighted current paradigm shifts and reasons for these shifts.  It would be a great book for every SLP to have who is working or interested in working with client who use AAC.  ...I love the examples of cases throughout to prove particular points and to allow the reader to practice problem solving. All of the information was evidence based.  ...This book includes EVERYTHING one would want and need to know about AAC. I would utilize this book throughout my academic course and clinical practicum course."
—Christina Loveless, MS, CCC-SLP, Assistant Clinical Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, St. Louis University

"A strength of this book includes "the inclusion of several concepts that are often not included in these type of texts! I was especially excited about cultural consideration, teletherapy, caregiver coaching and clinician training, transition, data collection, end of life care, and special populations!"
—Hesper Holland, MS, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, Department of Speech-Language Hearing Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center 

"The AAC content within the textbook is excellent and relevant to AAC application, current issues, and needs in the field. This text would also be beneficial to SLPs practicing in the field who are new to AAC or who need a refresher. ...I believe the strengths of this book are related to highly experienced researchers and practitioners who contributed to the creation of the content. Chapters that relate to Cultural/Linguistic and Gender issues are highly needed additions to the field of AAC and I have rarely seen such extensive information regarding these topics in current textbooks. ...I am excited to see a different spin on an AAC textbook. The case examples are critical pieces to helping our students and current practitioners understand and problem solve real issues in AAC."
—Laura E. Smith, MA, CCC-L/SLP, TSHH, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York

"I appreciate the cases and the essays to drive home the points of the chapters. The parent essays are a nice touch to give students an idea of what parents of AAC users go through.  ...I do not know of any other textbook that includes information on Mobile AAC. They may mention apps and IOS or android platforms but not to the level of information that this chapter provides. That chapter was very helpful for me as an instructor!  ...I really appreciate the extent of Adult information that is contained in this book. I typically have to pull from several resources to cover all of the adult content areas and they are really all found in this one text.  ...I believe this textbook would be helpful for practicing SLPs in the field who never took an AAC course."
—Nicole W. Gallagher, MS, CCC-SLP, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Connecticut 

"Strengths of this book: The variety of case studies, and that they are engaging to read. They will hold the reader’s attention and teach them something along the way. Also, the range of contributors is diverse and it discusses things that I haven’t seen elsewhere."
—Vicki L. Haddix, MS, CCC-SLP, Clinical Associate Professor, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Memphis

"This book provides a comprehensive introduction of AAC for students new to AAC, whether at the undergraduate or graduate level. In addition to a strong coverage of theory and foundational concepts, it includes relevant case studies, and a significant amount of visual support. The book highlights many complex issues facing both individuals with complex communication needs and the professionals working with them.  ...The material is well integrated. Your inclusion of the information about Luterman and counselling is very forward thinking. As well, the material about aphasia, TBI, and dementia was discussed thoroughly.  The discussion of end-of-life issues was very well done, as were other “hot topics,” including crime, and sexuality."
—Margaret Vento-Wilson, PhD, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, California State University, Long Beach, Department of Speech-Language Pathology

"I like how the authors delineated between No-Tech/Lite-Tech, Mid/High Tech AAC.  I get many questions about what makes what device “low tech/high tech”. Another strength was the inclusion of cultural considerations within the area of AAC, there just isn't a lot of good/solid information reported on within this area. I also appreciated the data collection/goal writing portion of the text along with the inclusion of telehealth.  ...Teaching the course, I have not had experiences with many adults, so I am restricted as to what I can share from my professional background, having adult case studies reinforce each part of the text is so helpful!"
—Katherine M. Czelatdko, MS, CCC-SLP, Clinical Assistant Professor, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Marquette University