Humans are hardwired for connection and belonging: AAC users don’t choose to have poor mental wellbeing

Abstract

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users have long been identified as having greater risk of being diagnosed with mental health problems than their peers.  There is limited research to understand the extent of these challenges, and the causes and effects for all age groups of AAC users (Ostvik et al, 2024). Yet, many of the challenges noted in the literature often relate to mental wellbeing; as AAC users are not a homogenous group there is greater variation in understanding individual quality of life issues, belonging, connectedness, identity and independence.

In wider society there has been a move in recent years to addressing mental wellbeing for the general population.  In the UK the National Health Service (2026) have various programmes and make recommendations to support various identified groups, but not specifically AAC users.  Much of the advice is focused on connection to others to create a sense of belonging, being physically active to feel good, learning new skills and practicing mindfulness. Yet, do these strategies resonate with AAC users who may struggle with fluent and spontaneous communication?  For those with longer term challenges the recommendation is talking therapies, which are frequently difficult to access, often have long waiting lists and may not be with trained communication partners.

There are unique considerations around communicating with AAC, these include not just a dependence on communication partners, but frequent communication breakdown and needing to adopt repair strategies, being misunderstood or misunderestimated, as well as issues around privacy when communicating. Social isolation and loneliness are often cited as contributing factors created by limited access to peer groups, role models and societal representation. Research focus has until now been mainly around becoming literate and using AAC for functional communication (Blasko, 2025) but for systemic barriers to be removed moving forward we need to understand how societal prejudice, policy and practice continue to reinforce stereotypes of AAC users and the impact this has from the individual AAC user perspective.

This session will draw on the personal perspective of the author who has experienced over 25 years of mental wellbeing challenges as an AAC user. They will share specific examples of triggers along with some of the personal strategies and techniques they have developed with professional and family support to underpin their own emotional expression, self-identity, autonomy and self-determination, relationship-building and wider wellbeing support.  The aim is to open up a discussion for attendees around what AAC users need and want from researchers and practitioners to better promote their mental wellbeing in everyday life; today, tomorrow and beyond.

Blasko, G. (2025). Unveiling underlying systemic isolation challenges for AAC users. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 215-222.

NHS. (2026) Five steps to mental wellbeing. [https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/] Accessed 10 June 2026

Østvik, J., Granlund, M., & Seim, A. R. (2025). Mental health and mental health problems among users of AAC: a scoping review. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(4), 320-332.