# Aging Up AAC: An Introspection on Augmentative and Alternative Communication Applications for Autistic Adults

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.17730 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.17730/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 1 of its 97 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 26 Apr 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Context-Aware Abbreviation Expansion Using Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.03767/) (2022)

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Evaluating Human-LLM Representation Alignment: A Case Study on Affective Sentence Generation for Augmentative and Alternative Communication](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.11881/) (2025)
- [Inclusive Easy-to-Read Generation for Individuals with Cognitive Impairments](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2510.00691/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

High-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) has been rapidly advancing in recent years due to the increased use of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, but many of these techniques are integrated without the inclusion of the users' perspectives. Autistic adults have been particularly neglected in the design of AAC tools. We conducted in-depth interviews with 12 autistic adults to find the pain points of current AAC and determine what technological advances they might find helpful. We found 8 different categories of themes from our interviews: input flexibility, output flexibility, selecting or adapting AAC, contexts for AAC use, benefits, access as an adult, stumbling blocks for continued use, and control of communication. In this paper, we go through these categories in depth -- comparing each to prior work -- and then highlight novel findings to suggest possible research directions.