This is a plain-language summary of a journal article. The article is one of 21 articles in a special issue of the AAC journal (Volume 41, Issue 3, 2025). All the articles are written or co-written by AAC users. The articles are free to read. Plain-language summaries of research are important for accessibility. Providing summaries in plain language helps make complex information easier to read. This helps to better understand and put the research into practice.
Summary of: Supporting effective alternative access for individuals with physical disabilities: state of the science, emerging technologies, and future research directions by Koester et al. (2025)
endever* corbin is a self-advocate. They share their personal journey through years of speech therapy and how AAC changed their life. The article argues that researchers should treat all communication methods equally and include AAC users as equals.
Who Is the Author?
endever* corbin uses they/them or xe/xem pronouns. They are autistic, semispeaking, and have multiple disabilities. This means they can use spoken words, but they often find them unreliable or uncomfortable. After getting Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), corbin had a clear focus. They did research. They advocated. They helped others.
“Expensive Speech”
corbin uses the term “expensive speech” to describe communication that works but drains energy and mental resources. For years, they used oral speech, often called “mouthwords.” Therapies focused on speech but did not emphasize effective communication. This left them with less energy for other parts of life.
How Did AAC Help?
When corbin accessed new ways to communicate, life got better. Their AAC toolkit includes:
- a high-tech AAC device
- lite-tech backup options
- American Sign Language (ASL)
With these tools, corbin could show up and participate. They could:
- choose which conversations to join
- advocate for themselves in healthcare
- complete daily tasks, like caring for their cat
- pursue leisure activities and special interests
- connect with peers
- give presentations and do research
Using AAC lightened their cognitive load. This gave them greater energy to engage meaningfully.
Why Does This Matter?
corbin points out that even when AAC users communicate clearly, they are often dismissed. Many people often miss how important their opinions are. This is especially true for researchers and experts. The article challenges:
- everyone deserves access to many AAC options
- people should not see spoken speech as the only valid form of communication.
- the AAC field must include AAC users as equal partners in research
Focusing only on speech in therapy can harm people whose speech is “expensive.” Access to a full range of AAC options is a right, not a last resort. AAC users must have a real voice in shaping research that affects their lives. The AAC field must stop being part of the problem and ensure the inclusion of AAC users.
Citation:
corbin, endever*. (2025). Speech is exhausting. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 245–247.
Access the full article: https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2513907
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