INT J LANG COMMUN DISORD, JANUARY –FEBRUARY 2014, VOL. 49, NO. 1, 1–14 Review ‘Communicative competence’ in the field of augmentative and alternative communication: a review and critique Gail Teachman† and Barbara E. Gibson‡ †Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada ‡Department of Physical Therapy, Bloorview Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada (Received January 2013; accepted July 2013) Abstract Background: Understandings of ‘communicative competency’ (CC) have an important influence on the ways that researchers and practitioners in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) work toward achieving positive outcomes with AAC users. Yet, very little literature has critically examined conceptualizations of CC in AAC. Following an overview of the emergence of the concept of CC and of the field of AAC, we review seven conceptualizations of CC identified in the literature. Aims: To consider the contributions and potential shortcomings of conceptualizations of CC in AAC. Methods & Procedures: We use a critical theoretical approach to review, critique and synthesize conceptualizations of CC in AAC, with a particular focus on uncovering ‘taken for granted’ assumptions. By historically situating the reviewed literature, we examine the shifting boundaries and tensions among theoretical conceptualizations of CC in AAC and their potential impacts on practice. Main contributions: We suggest ways that revisiting past scholarly work, alongside emergent, innovative concep- tualizations of CC might shift ways of thinking about CC in AAC which tend to focus on the individual who communicates differently, toward (re)location of CC as a shared, socially incorporated and performed communi- cation construct. Conclusion & Implications: We propose that emerging critical perspectives drawn from AAC and other interdis- ciplinary literatures offer innovative ways of theorizing communication difference, which might inform evolving conceptualizations of CC in AAC. Keywords: communicative competence, augmentative and alternative communication, communication impairment, critical conceptual review. What this paper adds? Conceptualizations of ‘communicative competency’ (CC) in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) have not been critically examined in the literature. It is crucial that researchers and clinicians query taken- for-granted assumptions that underpin AAC practice and directly impact people with communication impairments. This paper uses a critical theoretical approach to review, critique, and synthesize conceptualizations of CC in AAC. The reviewed works are situated historically to contextualize and trace the evolution of understandings of CC in AAC. The paper offers perspectives that encourage reflection and (re)consideration of understandings of CC, and that support emerging, innovative ways to theorize communication difference. Introduction In this paper, we consider the contributions and po- tential shortcomings of conceptualizations of com- municative competence (CC) over the quarter Address correspondence to: Gail Teachman, Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, 160–500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada; e-mail: g.teachman@utoronto.ca century since the discipline of augmentative and alterna- tive communication (AAC) was founded. We examine the shifting boundaries and tensions among theoreti- cal conceptualizations of CC in AAC, considering the International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders ISSN 1368-2822 print/ISSN 1460-6984 online C  2013 Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.12055