AAC in the Media

In recent years, AAC has begun to take its rightful place in the media. From viral videos of individuals with complex communication needs achieving milestones to the inclusion of AAC tools in TV shows and films, the media is helping to shape perceptions about the power and potential of AAC.  

• This growing visibility is not just beneficial for individuals who use AAC but also for society, as it fosters understanding and inclusivity. 

When AAC is accurately and thoughtfully represented in the media, it normalizes the use of AAC systems, breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions. For many individuals with complex communication needs, seeing themselves reflected in popular culture is empowering. It sends a clear message: your voice matters, no matter how you communicate. 

There have been representations of individuals with complex communication needs across media outlets over the past decade, including:  

• Viral Social Media Posts: Videos of children and adults using AAC to express their first words, share a joke, or deliver a graduation speech often go viral, garnering millions of views. These moments highlight the profound impact AAC can have on someone’s life. 
• Television and Film: Characters who use AAC have started to appear in mainstream media. For example, Speechless, a TV show that aired from 2016 to 2019, featured a central character who used AAC. Similarly, the movie, Out of My Mind shed light on AAC by highlighting a protagonist who has complex communication needs, highlighting the potential and challenges of AAC in an engaging narrative. While not every portrayal is perfect, these representations spark important conversations about accessibility, inclusion, autonomy, and access to AAC.  
• Celebrity Advocacy: High-profile individuals, including actors, athletes, and activists, have championed AAC by sharing stories of their own family members or supporting organizations that promote communication rights.  
  • For example, Steve Gleason, a former NFL player living with ALS, has been a vocal advocate for AAC, demonstrating how it empowers individuals with progressive conditions to stay connected with their loved ones.  
  • The late Stephen Hawking, who used a speech-generating device, brought global attention to the potential of AAC as a tool to achieve autonomy and intellectual engagement. 

Negative portrayals of AAC and AAC professionals can perpetuate negative stereotypes and misconceptions. For instance, the movie, Tell Them You Love Me, converges AAC with discredited practices such as facilitated communication (FC), undermining the credibility of AAC interventions. 

• Such portrayals can stimulate misconceptions about the validity of AAC, the professionalism of those in the field, and the experiences of using AAC. When media fails to portray AAC with respect, accuracy and understanding, it risks undermining the credibility of AAC tools and the people who use and support them. 

Media often focuses specifically on AAC and disability, offering deeper insights and nuanced storytelling. Documentaries, podcasts, and movies have highlighted the experiences of individuals who have complex communication needs and their families, shedding light on both the challenges and triumphs of navigating life using AAC.  

• These works often delve into topics like education, advocacy, and inclusion, offering a platform for voices, perspectives, and issues that are often overlooked in traditional media. Such content not only informs but also demonstrates the possibilities when communication barriers are broken down. 

AAC is often only represented in media that focuses specifically on AAC or disability. While these stories are important, they can inadvertently segregate individuals with complex communication needs from broader narratives. By confining AAC to niche contexts, media bypasses opportunities to integrate AAC into mainstream stories, leaving audiences with a limited understanding of how AAC impacts everyday life. 

While getting AAC into the media is a great start, progress continues to need to be made. Here are a few ways that the media can strengthen representation and inclusion of AAC as well as those who use it: 

1. Involve Those Who Use AAC in Broader Stories: Actors with complex communication needs should be cast in roles that are not centered on disability or AAC. Integrating individuals with complex communication needs into diverse storylines—whether in dramas, comedies, or action films—helps normalize AAC and displays the full spectrum of human experience and communication modalities.  
2. Include AAC in Other Shows and Movies: AAC does not need to be the focus of a story to be part of it. Depictions of those who use AAC casually engaging in typical life activities can highlight its everyday utility and reduce stigma. 
3. Collaborate With Individuals Who Use AAC: Involving individuals with complex communication needs in storytelling ensures authenticity and accuracy. 
4. Highlight Diverse Experiences: Individuals with complex communication needs span all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Media should reflect such diversity. 

The AAC community plays a critical role in shaping media narratives. By sharing personal stories, advocating for accurate representation, and highlighting harmful stereotypes, those who use AAC and their allies can guide the media toward a more inclusive approach. 

• Social media campaigns, blogs, and partnerships with content creators are powerful tools for amplifying the voices of individuals with complex communication needs.  

The media has the power to change perceptions and drive societal change. When AAC is represented as a valid, empowering means of communication, it helps to deconstruct barriers and create a world where all voices are heard and valued. As media continues to spotlight AAC, it is critical to ensure the narratives are as diverse, authentic, and dynamic as the people who use it.