Another observation made at gatherings is the nearly total absence of laptop computers being used as AAC systems. While there was a trend in that direction when laptops first became available, the reports from those who tried them and returned to dedicated devices cite problems with funding, reliability, and service. However, the primary factor seems to be that the only AAC software available is based on dynamic display using single meaning pictures, spelling, or word prediction. These paradigms simply are not able to produce the outcomes available from higher performance dedicated AAC systems. For those individuals unable to attend such gatherings, an alternative is personal conversation with people who use the systems being considered.
All reputable manufacturers can provide references to people who use their systems.
A brief personal interaction or telephone conversation can be revealing. Today only those systems that can demonstrate proven performance based on effective and efficient strategies to access vocabulary should be considered. Professionals, family members, and users need to emphasize that achieving language superiority and interactive communication takes priority over the technology. With anything else the user will not be empowered to achieve full potential and independence. Summary The field of AAC continues to change and mature.