"Note this textbook consists of five major units with each unit housing a number of chapters related to a specific topic. The first unit is an introduction to AAC and presents general information (e.g., viewing AAC from various perspectives, terminological issues), a history of the field, the AAC model (with updated classifications of symbols and technology), professional concerns and issues, and finally, a chapter on developing more culturally responsive and equitable practice in AAC. The second unit introduces AAC symbols. It starts with an overview about AAC symbols in general and then proceeds to comprehensive discussions of aided AAC symbols followed by unaided symbols. The third unit discusses AAC technology without going into specific products. The first of the two chapters in this unit discusses the background, features, and principles of AAC technology while the second provides a discussion of technological applications the reader may consider as the field of assistive technology continues to evolve. The fourth unit presents the components of AAC assessment-general assessment principles, vocabulary selection, symbol selection, and finally, the prescription of AAC technology. The final unit is the largest of all the units and addresses AAC intervention. The chapters in this unit present the different components of the intervention process: (a) principles of intervention; (b) seating, positioning, and communication; (c) funding of speech generating devices; (d) intervention for persons with developmental disabilities; (e) using AAC as an approach to promote literacy; (f) communication-based approaches to the management of problem behavior; (g) intervention for persons with acquired disorders; (h) AAC in acute care settings; and finally, (i) AAC approaches for persons with sensory impairments. Lyle and I are confident the reader will find this textbook to be the authoritative compendium of the full breadth and depth of AAC"--