Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Ethics and Authenticity in Clinical Practice

This paper delineates certain principles of ethics and relates them specifically to the practice of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The authors describe ways to obtain and maintain authenticity in the execution of service delivery through education and resource development. An Authenticity Test for Augmentative and Alternative Communicaon has been included as a means for clinicians to monitor their commitment to persons with severe communicative impairment, their knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication principles and practices, and their professionalism.