Question
Hi, Nan!  I was wondering if you knew anything about augmentative and alternative communication.  My question is, "Who can benefit from this type of communication?"  Please email me back with an answer, if you have one, at your earliest convenience.  Thanks.  

Answer
Hello Rebeka:

I am not myself well acquainted with this topic but I did some research and hope the following can help you.

From Shifting Horizons in Disability" http://www.caac.up.ac.za/pages/what.html

"Who can benefit from Augmentative or Alternative Communication?

"- Anyone who is not able to communicate effectively using speech (Non Verbal)
"- People with intellectual disabilities
"- Anyone who has some speech but requires an augmentative device for purposes of writing or carrying on long conversations.

"Those who would benefit from AAC include:

"- People who are physically disabled
"- People with autistic tendencies
"- People with developmental delays
"- People with dual sensory impairments e.g vision and hearing "

From Wingspan Assistive Technology http://www.stic-cil.org/wingspan.htm

"Who can benefit from AAC?

"Augmentative/Alternative Communication is not just for people who cannot speak at all. AAC can be used to enhance the fluency of anyone who has difficulty speaking, and those who speak, but are not easily understood. It can be used as a temporary support to assist verbal development, or as a permanent means of communication.

"Augmentative/Alternative Communication can be beneficial for both children and adults with communication difficulties. It can be useful in various settings including--at home, at school, at work, at a doctor's appointment, at a grocery store, at church and anywhere else in the community where a person spends their time."

From Pine Tree Society http://www.pinetreesociety.org/acat.html

"Who can benefit from ACAT?

"Children with difficulties communicating with those around them, or who have challenges interacting in their learning and living environments can benefit from ACAT's services. These may include children living with: (Click on links below to learn more)

"Apraxia of Speech/Poor Intelligibility
"Attention Deficit Disorder
"Asperger's
"Autism spectrum disorders
"Cerebral Palsy
"Developmental Delay/Mental Retardation
"Down Syndrome
"Nonverbal Communicators
"Poor Intelligibility
"Learning Disabilities
"Nonverbal Learning Disabilities
"Traumatic Brain Injury
"Visual and/or hearing impairment "

Let me know if you  need more information.

Nan Hawthorne