# Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs, Fifth Edition

[David R. Beukelman, Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=1005&Name=David+Beukelman,Ph.D.), [Janice C. Light, Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=1077&Name=Janice+Light,Ph.D.)

This classic bestseller is now in its fifth edition—revised and updated for a new generation of SLPs, teachers, occupational therapists, and other professionals in clinical and educational settings. Partnering with a team of distinguished contributors, renowned experts David Beukelman and Janice Light deliver today's most comprehensive, up-to-date introduction to AAC interventions and technologies for children and adults with complex communication needs.

Significantly expanded with new chapters on critical topics, more practical information on how AAC systems work, and new online companion materials, this definitive text will expertly prepare readers to support communicative competence–and quality of life–for children and adults with complex communication needs.

### WHAT’S NEW

Professionals will prepare for their work in the field with critical new information on:

- Collaborating with family members and other communication partners
- Making the most of mobile technologies and AAC apps
- Selecting an AAC system and tailoring it to individual needs
- Working effectively with families from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Supporting inclusion across the lifespan (including education, employment, and community life)
- Ensuring efficient patient-provider communication in medical settings
- Providing communication supports to people with autism spectrum disorder

**PLUS:** Enhance your teaching with a package of online companion materials, including a resource guide to help practitioners and students learn more about AAC; sample responses to chapter study questions; and a sample syllabus.

### TOPICS COVERED
- components and phases of AAC assessment
- planning, implementation, and evaluation of AAC interventions
- working with families
- vocabulary and message selection
- multimodal communication
- unaided representations
- aided AAC symbols and other representations
- assistive technologies that support literacy
- support for beginning communicators
- education
- employment
- assisted and independent living
- health care
- selection and personalization of AAC systems
- AAC access techniques and output
- interventions for people with developmental disabilities
- interventions for people with acquired disabilities
- the importance of advocacy

[Learn more about the new edition!](/content/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Augmentative-and-Alternative-Communication-5e-Slide-Deck.pdf)

## Reviews

Pat Mirenda, Ph.D., BCBA-D, University of British Columbia - April 2, 2020  
"The most up-to-date and authoritative source of information about AAC principles, assessment, and interventions...should be on the shelf of every professional who provides AAC supports."

Kathryn Yorkston, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington - April 2, 2020  
"Current, comprehensive, and an excellent introduction to the field."

Joe Reichle, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota - April 2, 2020  
"A clear and cogent overview of augmentative/alternative communication...will likely continue to be one of the most frequently referenced AAC texts."

Jay Ganz, Ph.D., BCBA-D - April 2, 2020  
"Brings together world-class authors and contributors with significant experience and expertise…provides a well-rounded and evidence-supported guide on AAC, highlighting timely issues."

Authors: [David R. Beukelman Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=1005&Name=David+R.+Beukelman+Ph.D.), [Janice C. Light Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=1077&Name=Janice+C.+Light+Ph.D.)  
Invited Contributors: [Laura J. Ball Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=1144&Name=Laura+J.+Ball+Ph.D.), [Susan Koch Fager Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=1151&Name=Susan+Koch+Fager+Ph.D.), [Kathryn L. Garrett Ph.D., CCC-SLP](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=1141&Name=Kathryn+L.+Garrett+Ph.D.%2c+CCC-SLP), [Elizabeth K. Hanson Ph.D., CCC-SLP](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=4314&Name=Elizabeth+K.+Hanson+Ph.D.%2c+CCC-SLP), [Julia King Fischer Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=8888&Name=Julia+King+Fischer+Ph.D.), [Joanne P. Lasker Ph.D., CCC-SLP](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=1158&Name=Joanne+P.+Lasker+Ph.D.%2c+CCC-SLP), [David B. McNaughton Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=1310&Name=David+B.+McNaughton+Ph.D.), [Amy S. Nordness Ph.D., CCC-SLP](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=184759&Name=Amy+S.+Nordness+Ph.D.%2c+CCC-SLP)

This product has additional material available on the Brookes Download Hub.

- resource guide to help practitioners and students learn more about AAC
- sample responses to chapter study questions
- sample syllabus

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