Over the past 30 years, augmented and assisted communication (AAC) has made tremendous advances in theory, research and practice and it is now an important part of professional work in many educational, therapeutic and medical fields. This compendium summarizes these developments and, using a new approach, provides systematic access to the various topics and fields of work in AAC. In addition to basic theoretical positions, the areas of language development and AAC, diagnosis in AAC, intervention and participation, literacy (acquisition of written language), care structures and quality assurance, as well as research and evaluation, are differentiated on the basis of the current state of research and knowledge. The compendium is designed as a study textbook for education and further education. With its consistent focus on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), social participation and inclusion, it provides a bridge between the educational and medical-therapeutic professions involved.

Jens Boenisch is a professor at the University of Cologne and Director of the Research and Consulting Centre for AAC (FBZ-UK). Stefanie K. Sachse is a research assistant at the University of Cologne and FBZ-UK.