Augmentative and alternative communication : models and applications for educators speech language pathologists psychologists caregivers and users Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Models and Applications for Educators Speech Language Pathologists Psychologists Caregivers and Users aims to be the primary text for graduate courses in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The book contains 13 chapters the ideal length for a 13 week semester course that provide an in depth overview of the subject. The author Filip Loncke PhD has practiced and conducted research in AAC and AAC related matters since 1990 and has taught AAC courses at the graduate level since 2000. Dr. Loncke recognized that due to the ever evolving nature of the field which in many ways is linked to developing technology it was crucial to develop a book that details the framework of how communication is shaped by internal and external factors (including technology) and how communication affects social functioning as well as other (mainly cognitive) functions. The text references psycholinguistics communication sciences social psychology and other disciplines to explain AAC and provide students with a thorough review of the subject. From back cover Chapter 1.Augmentative and alternative communication : a general introduction Chapter 2.Access and message management Chapter 3.Non tech low tech high tech and mobile computing Chapter 4.The use of symbols Chapter 5.Vocabulary and augmentative and alternative communication Chapter 6.Augmentative and alternative communication intervention at the pre linguistic level Chapter 7.Language intervention and AAC Chapter 8.Augmentative and alternative communication and intervention with acquired communication disorders Chapter 9.Augmentative and alternative communication and literacy development Chapter 10.Augmentative and alternative communication and natural speech Chapter 11.Augmentative and alternative communication and assessment Chapter 12.Augmentative and alternative communication and the community Chapter 13.The augmentative and alternative communication experience.