Family Resources

A 2026 meta-analysis found structured exercise produced large gains in motor skills in autistic children. Here's what it means for parents and therapists.

The answer may surprise you. One of the biggest concerns parents have about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is: "If my child starts using an AAC device, will they stop trying to talk?" It's an understandable fear. Every parent wants to hear their child's voice. Many worry that introducing a communication device means they're giving up on speech. The good news is that decades of research continue to show the opposite. AAC does not prevent children from learning to talk. In fact, many children who use AAC develop spoken language just as quickly, or even more quickly, because they are finally able to communicate successfully while speech continues to develop. Now, exciting new research published in 2026 adds another reason for families to feel hopeful. It found that preschoolers using AAC can learn much more than requesting their favorite toy or snack. With the right therapy, they can begin building sentences and expressing more complex thoughts.