title: Multimodality: a basis for augmentative and alternative communication--psycholinguistic, cognitive, and clinical/educational aspects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Message generating is a complex process involving a number of processes, including the selection of modes to use. When expressing a message, human communicators typically use a combination of modes. This phenomenon is often termed multimodality. This article explores the use of models that explain multimodality as an explanatory framework for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Multimodality is analysed from a communication, psycholinguistic, and cognitive perspective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Theoretical and applied topics within AAC can be explained or described within the multimodality framework considering iconicity, simultaneous communication, lexical organization, and compatibility of communication modes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consideration of multimodality is critical to understanding underlying processes in individuals who use AAC and individuals who interact with them.
authors.affiliation: Communication Disorders Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA. filip.loncke@aol.com
authors.forename: Filip T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Loncke
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Amanda M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: England
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008037:Linguistics; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013060:Speech; D013561:Symbolism