Will a communication device stop my child from learning to talk?

No. The research consistently finds that AAC — augmentative and alternative communication — does not impede speech and, in many children, is associated with increased speech and language.

Anything that supports or replaces speech: gestures and signs, picture boards, and high-tech speech-generating apps and devices. It can be temporary or long-term, and there are no prerequisites for trying it.

When should we consider AAC?

Whenever a child has more to say than they can currently say with speech alone. Earlier access to communication reduces frustration and supports connection.

Neurodivergence · 7 min read

Does AAC Stop a Child From Talking? The Evidence

The worry is understandable and almost universal. The evidence is clear: giving a child another way to communicate does not take speech away.

Almost every parent considering a communication device or picture system asks the same frightened question: if I give my child another way to communicate, will they stop trying to talk? It is an understandable fear. It is also, according to the research, unfounded.

The short answer

AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication — everything from gestures and picture boards to speech-generating apps. Decades of research show it does not hinder the development of speech, and for many children it is associated with gains in speech and language. Giving a child a way to be understood does not remove their motivation to speak; it usually supports it.

Why the fear gets it backwards

Communication and speech are not the same thing. Speech is one channel; communication is the goal. When a child can finally make themselves understood — by any means — frustration drops, connection grows, and the foundations that support spoken language are strengthened, not weakened.

What AAC can look like

Gestures, signs, and pointing.
Picture cards and communication boards.
Apps and speech-generating devices on a tablet.
A mix, used flexibly, temporarily or long-term.

What the research says

A widely cited 2008 systematic review by Ralf Schlosser and Oliver Wendt, published in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, concluded that AAC interventions do not impede speech production and may increase it. The professional body ASHA echoes this: there are no prerequisites for introducing AAC, and the evidence does not support withholding it out of fear for speech.

Communication first. A child who can be understood is a child who can grow.

If you are unsure where to start, a speech-language therapist can help you choose and introduce an approach that fits your child.

Frequently asked

Will a communication device stop my child from learning to talk?: No. The research consistently finds that AAC — augmentative and alternative communication — does not impede speech and, in many children, is associated with increased speech and language.
What counts as AAC?: Anything that supports or replaces speech: gestures and signs, picture boards, and high-tech speech-generating apps and devices. It can be temporary or long-term, and there are no prerequisites for trying it.
When should we consider AAC?: Whenever a child has more to say than they can currently say with speech alone. Earlier access to communication reduces frustration and supports connection.

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