Introduction to the forum on the role of basic science in AAC access

This introduction to the special forum on basic/foundational research in AAC offers a brief rationale for the importance of the three pillars of evidence-based practice, including scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and client/family insights, and underscores that each pillar can and should offer something and also benefit from the other pillars. It briefly overviews several areas in which basic science has been instrumental in promoting clinical advances and then introduces the articles in the current forum, which each in its own way relates to access. The hope is to promote constructive dialog between scientists, clinicians, and individuals who use AAC to move these ideas forward.