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What is AAC, in plain English?

If you're searching this at 2am, this one's for you.

SonSpeak — A parent 2 min 7/14/2026

What does AAC actually mean?

AAC stands for **Augmentative and Alternative Communication**. It's an umbrella term for any way a person communicates *besides* their own spoken voice. That can be a paper board with pictures, an expensive iPad app, sign language, gestures, or — in our family's case early on — a handful of printed photos my son could point at to show me what he wanted.

If a doctor, teacher, or speech therapist just told you your child might benefit from AAC, you are not behind. You are right on time.

Two big myths to clear out first

**Myth 1: AAC will keep my kid from talking.** Decades of research say the opposite. Kids who use AAC tend to develop *more* spoken language, not less, because finally being able to communicate reduces frustration and builds vocabulary.

**Myth 2: AAC has to be expensive.** AAC apps commonly cost $200–$300 just for the app, and dedicated speech-output devices run $3,000–$10,000. That pricing is a relic of the 2010 App Store, not a reflection of what AAC needs to be. SonSpeak runs on the tablet you already own, with plans that start at $12/year — and in early access, there's nothing to pay today.

What 'starting AAC' actually looks like

  • Pick 8–12 high-impact words: *more, all done, help, no, yes, eat, drink, mom, dad, play, hurt, break*.
  • Model the words yourself for two weeks before expecting your kid to use them. (Yes, you tap the buttons too.)
  • Don't quiz. Don't withhold the snack until they 'use the device.' Connection first, words second.
  • Add 1–2 new words a week as patterns appear.

    • If that sounds doable, head to /register and we'll set up your first board. The first 8 words are pre-loaded.

    How SonSpeak fits in

    We built SonSpeak after living through the part where you can't afford the $300 app. Custom voice recordings (so your kid hears *mom* saying 'I love you,' not a robot), real photos from your camera roll, AI predictive next-word, and full offline mode.