AGOSCI – early history
AGOSCI was created in 1981 by a group of Speech Pathologists within Speech Pathology Australia who had a vision to have a wider reach with regards to supporting people with complex communication needs, their families, and their professional and community networks. The AGOSCI name was an acronym for “Australian Group on Severe Communication Impairment”. Due to changes in terminology and the wider reach of the group, AGOSCI now no longer refers to itself in that way but continues to use the acronym as our name.
Communication Access
Complex Communication Needs? What are they?Complex Communication Needs is defined as the difficulty communicating using speech alone. People with CCN include those with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Stroke, Intellectual Disability, sensory impairments and degenerative conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease. People with CCN often use communication aids to help them express themselves and participate in society. Communication aids include Key Word Signing, communication books (such as PODD), and speech output devices. A communication disability does not just belong to the individual, which is why AGOSCI also supports communication partners, and communication accessible environments. | AGOSCI’s current activities include:
Topics associated with complex communication needs may include:
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AGOSCI has been awarded the Communication Access Symbol. This means we have met the standards that make our organisation communication accessible. We are committed to communicating effectively and respectfully with customers who have communication difficulties, and we use strategies and resources to support successful communication. For more information about communication access