Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Speech Production for Individuals with ASD: A Systematic Review.

The team looked at 28 studies on AAC for kids with autism. They wanted to know if using picture boards, tablets, or other aids helps children speak more words.

All studies tested children who started with little or no speech. The review tracked any new spoken words that showed up during or after AAC training.

Every study showed some new speech after AAC began. Kids said more words, but their talking never moved ahead of how well they used the AAC tool.

In short, AAC boosts speech, yet the device stays the stronger voice.

Leaf et al. (2012) ran a meta-analysis of 24 single-case studies and also saw large gains, with PECS and speech-generating devices on top. The new review widens the lens to 28 studies and keeps the same winner tools.

Cox et al. (2015) found tablet AAC gave faster verbal growth than PECS or sign. Johnson et al. (2021) agrees tablets work, but adds the caution that speech still lags behind AAC skill.

Gevarter et al. (2013) showed that teaching tricks like errorless learning speed up picture exchange. The 2021 review includes those tricks and links them to later spoken words, filling the gap between early mand training and later speech.

You can tell families that AAC will not block speech; it sparks it. Keep the system in place even when words pop out, because the device will likely stay ahead of the child’s mouth. Pair the aid with errorless teaching and plenty of models to give speech its best chance.