In my contribution I intend to talk about alternative and augmentative communication systems which is helpful in education of mentally impaired.

One of the most striking characteristics of persons with severe disabilities is the extent of their deficiency in communication. Person who isn`t able to speak or his/her speech is constricted still has other possible ways of communication. If we are talking about this kind of people it is sure that when he/she cannot use oral way of communication or this way of expression is constricted it`s necessary to give him a chance to use alternative and augmentative communication system.

American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA) defines alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) as an area of clinical practise that attempts to compensate, either temporarily or permanently, for the impairment and disability patterns of individuals with severe expressive communication disorders (the severely speech-language and writing impaired).

Augmentative communication systems are methods of communication that are used in order to support communication skills of disabled people.

Alternative communication systems are methods of communication that are used as complete compensation of spoken word. These systems are used with persons who are unable to use spoken word at all.

We can devide Alternative and augmentative communication systems into dynamic and static systems. Dynamic systems include gestures and signs, static systems are presented in two-dimensional or three-dimensional forms. There are also AAC systems that combine both forms because experience shows that none of (substitutive communicatin systems) these systems shouldn't be based on one kind of aids.

Another possible classification can be established by dividing AAC systems into unaided and aided systems.

What to consider when determining what kind of Augmentative Communication system will be most beneficial:

- cognitive skills

- physical skills

- communication skills

In my contribution I want give you some more detailed information about some AAC systems, which I use in practice (Sign to speech, Pictograms)

Sign to the speech is a compensatory instrument for people with speech disabilities, which is usually used as a supplement not as a substitution of spoken word. It means that it is an augumentative communication system. Person who is supposed to use this way of communication have to be able to imitate signs. Sign to the speech isn't sign language. To improve communication skills as well as spoken word is the goal of this method. The sign only supplement the most important words in the speech, that is his characteristic feature. The sign isn't dominant it works only as a support.

Mentally disabled as well as persons with combine disabilities can use pictograms as a language programme allowing communication. International standards define pictograms as a perceptible shape, which is created by writing, drawing, printing or other technologies. Each pictogram represents a meaning. Clients can use the pictograms to tell other people about their feelings and needs. They become active in education process. Pictograms help them in their decisions, help them take part in conversation and end their passive listener position.