Magic and Cost of Communicative Competence

The development of communicative competence by persons who have limited or no functional speaking or writing skills is magical in that it is so improbable. Yet, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) options have permitted many individuals to achieve communicative competence. As with magic, the costs of AAC use are partially hidden. The equipment and material costs are obvious; however, the instruction and learning costs are not. The documentation and dissemination of these costs will permit potential AAC users and public policy planners to estimate and manage the overall costs of AAC interventions more accurately.