Worry and hesitation about AAC are completely understandable — it's a big idea to take in. Here are the myths we hear most often, and what the evidence actually shows.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) covers everything from key word sign to communication boards to speech-generating devices. For a lot of families, it's a new and slightly daunting idea. Let's work through the concerns we hear most.
Myth: AAC will stop my child from learning to speak
This is the worry we hear most, and the evidence is genuinely reassuring: decades of research show AAC does not replace or delay speech. If anything, it tends to support spoken language, by lowering the pressure and frustration around communicating and giving the brain more ways to practise language.
Myth: My child needs to “fail” at speaking first
There's no such thing as too early, and no waiting list your child needs to join. AAC can be introduced alongside speech therapy from the very beginning — there's no evidence that waiting improves outcomes, and plenty that starting early helps.
Myth: AAC is only for children who will never speak
AAC supports children across a huge range — from those who are entirely non-speaking to those who speak but are sometimes hard to understand, get tired mid-sentence, or need extra support in noisy or overwhelming environments. It's a tool, not a life sentence, and many children use it flexibly alongside speech.
Myth: Using AAC means we've given up on speech
Quite the opposite — introducing AAC is an active step toward communication, not away from it. We continue to work on speech alongside AAC where that's appropriate for your child, and we let their progress guide the balance, not a fixed rulebook.
Myth: It's too complicated for our family to use
It can feel that way at first, particularly with a device or app. We start small, build core vocabulary gradually, and coach the whole family — not just your child — because AAC works best when it's modelled everywhere, not just in therapy sessions. Most families tell us it becomes second nature faster than they expected.
If you're weighing up AAC for your child and want an honest, pressure-free conversation about whether it might help, we're here for that.