ABSTRACT
In this study, a historical review was carried out on the delimitation and dissemination of Augmentative and Alternative Communication AAC, both nationally and internationally. The aim was to understand how such area is developing. It is assumed that AAC is a semiotic activity comprising verbal and non-verbal, sign-based materials for mediating dialogic interactions, thereby, facilitating language acquisition and learning processes involving subjects with significant speech impairments. The purpose is to identify developments and general trends in order to establish an overview of the research area. The access to events, facts and knowledge behind AAC was carried out by a literature review of national and international publications, specially in the United States, Canada and Brazil from the 1950s until present day. An understanding of the main components constituting the research area was achieved for the past five decades. The definition of AAC as a specific area has taken place from the 1950s, both nationally and internationally. To conclude, we advocate that AAC should not be considered and organized as a specialized area, but should be associated with different language-oriented, health and education disciplines, which consider the historicity and complexity of the pertaining phenomena.
Keywords:
Communication Aids for the Disabled; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; Education