Choosing the Right Communication Aid

Taikhum Sadiq Article published Nov 03, 2017 Article updated Sep 25, 2023

Communication is one of the most important parts of a person’s social life. Proper communication is what enables a person to portray their personality and skills in the most profitable ways. Many people suffering from a lot of disorders or disabilities might find it difficult to cope up. There are also many children that have a little difficulty in understanding something as compared to other children.

This does not stem from a disorder or disability but a difference in brain functioning. Some children might excel at painting and drawing while facing problems with language and speaking. Some are excellent speakers but may have difficulties in doing a dexterous task.

What are communication devices?

Communication aids are a type of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). These help an individual communicate effectively with those around them. They can range from a simple letter board to a more sophisticated piece of electronic equipment. Each communication aid should match the physical, intellectual and social needs of an individual.

Choosing the correct communication aids

There are certain things you must consider while buying an aac device -

1. Types of Communication devices

There are four major types of augmentative and alternative communication devices -

Comprehensive Expressive Aids: They aim to meet most of a person’s communication needs throughout the day. Alphabet boards, communication boards and books with a wide range of messages represented by letters, words, photos and/or symbols are some of the most common in this type.
Targeted Expressive Aids: They are designed for specific situations when specific message sets are needed, such as community request cards, or object symbols to allow a person to make basic requests.
Visual Supports: They assist you in helping you make sense of your day, remember events or help with completion of tasks. Many people with complex communication needs have difficulty with memory and understanding abstract information.
Supports for Communication Partners: They provide details about an individual with complex communication needs, their means of communicating and other routine related information that assist a communication partner to consistently support them throughout the day.

2. Durability & Portability

An AAC device should be durable enough for the child to work with it for a long time. Since the device is most likely to accompany a child to many places like school or therapy sessions, it should also be portable.

3. Accessories

Depending on a user's physical abilities and limitations, communicating aids should have accessories such as mounts and keyguards for effective access and support while using the device.

4. Device Customization

You should look for communication devices that finely tune the alternate access method. For instance, it should have many language systems to help you teach and help the child learn the system.

Benefits of Communication Aids

Improves speaking and learning ability
Provides a better understanding of letters and words
Helps improve diction and the ability to pronounce words
Gives confidence to an individual when they speak

Where can I buy AAC devices online?

HPFY is your health and wellness partner since 2002. We offer an array of communication devices and other assistive aids from leading names of the industry. Explore our catalog to find the best pick for your loved ones.

Best Communication Aids At HPFY

1. Book Talker Communication Device

This wearable communicator is extremely versatile. It can be placed on a wheelchair arm and features two kind of messages with total 20 seconds of recording time or 10 seconds of recording time for each massage.

2. 7-Level Communication Builder

There are seven levels for recordings with a self-contained communication device. The user can record and play back one, two, four, eight or 16 different messages per level. 7-Level Communication Builder enables you to record a total of 112 messages but if the user changes window frames then re-recording is needed.

3. AbleNet Big Step-by-Step Communicator

Buy AbleNet Big Step-by-Step Communicator

It helps you move into multi-message communication. The large colored top is activated to play the first message and the top to play another message. Moreover, the new sequences of messages are easily recorded quickly. You can also pre-record up to three sets of messages ahead of time.

These devices are a revolutionary move in the sphere of communication aids as they not only improve the basic abilities but also the detailed skills that come together to cohesively increase a person’s ability to communicate.

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Taikhum Sadiq

Taikhum Sadiq has been a Health Products For You contributor since 2016.

He is an archaeology student and is passionate about learning about the past and how it impacts our future. He believes ...