Individuals typically use communication aids to solve communicative challenges in a limited number of situations. Some individuals need to rely more heavily on AAC due to physical disabilities, medical complications, or other speech and language disabilities that limit how much speech they are able to produce. These individuals may find themselves more frequently in situations of not being able to use speech effectively, and therefore it is worth investing in more effective AAC methods. For example, some individuals may use an organized system of picture symbols, or text, in a communication book, mobile device, computer, and/or on a dedicated speech-generating device.

These strategies may be used along with vocalizations, facial expressions speech, word approximations, gestures and sign language. They enable individuals to use these forms of AAC more intelligibly and specifically than they could with speech, gestures, and facial expressions alone.