Augmentative and alternative communication applications for persons with severe congenital communication disorders: an introduction

Augmentative communication techniques are often used with persons who experience a wide range of congenital impairments, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, developmental verbal apraxia, and specific language disorders. This paper will discuss each of these impairments in terms of its etiology, prevalence, and associated communication characteristics. In addition, an overview of the major AAC issues related to each impairment will be discussed briefly.