ABSTRACT

Filip Loncke has practiced and conducted research in atypical communication, manual signing, and the processes underlying the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Since the 1960s, major factors that have led to the early development of AAC are the discovery of the potential of nonspeech communication, the study of children's prelinguistic stages and developmental precursors to language, and technological developments, including the possibilities of speech synthesis. The taxonomy consists of four levels of categories to describe the use of AAC aids. These four levels are aided/unaided, static/dynamic, iconic/opaque, and set/system. Technological developments, including the use of speech synthesis and switch technology, have allowed for substitution of some components of natural speech production with artificial processes. Although AAC has the potential to meet some of the needs of people with acquired disorders, acceptance of a new way of communicating is often difficult. Some may fear that AAC will hinder speech improvement and insist on using their natural speech alone.