About the AAC Lab

The AAC Lab is housed in UT Austin’s Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences in the Moody College of Communication. Our research aims to improve the efficacy of augmentative and alternative communication interventions for persons with severe speech and language impairment as a result of developmental and acquired conditions. Our research primarily focuses on adults with neurogenic communication disorders such as aphasia and children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities.   We study the factors that influence the outcomes of technology-based AAC interventions. We use a combination of behavioral, perceptual, and electroencephalography measures to address these lines of inquiry. Ongoing research projects include investigations into the efficacy of AAC interventions in persons with aphasia, variables that influence outcomes of interventions with a speech generating device as part of a treatment package, and the efficacy of EEG-based brain-computer interface system with persons with developmental and acquired communication impairments. 

Our work would not be possible without the generous contributions of our clinicians and volunteers.