Autism Spectrum Disorder, AAC, and the Feature-Matching Process

A substantial portion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are nonspeaking, requiring alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) to convey wants and needs with others. With many options available to consumers, AAC systems are often selected without carefully matching the needs of the communicator with the appropriate AAC features. This chapter details the use of the feature-matching process to obtain a high-tech AAC device for a young child with ASD who was using his previous AAC system solely to request. The feature-matching process entailed a multidisciplinary evaluation to select an AAC system that best fit his current and future communication needs, and completion of an evidence-based trial to ensure appropriateness of the device. As a result of this process, the child became a more effective communicator by replacing maladaptive behaviors with functional communication, broadening the purposes for which he communicated, and expanding his circle of communication partners.