Beukelman (special education and communications disorders, U. of Nebraska-Lincoln) and Mirenda (educational and counseling psychology and special education, U. of British Columbia-Vancouver) update again their introductory text for practicing professionals, pre-professional students, and others interested in learning more about communication options for people who are unable to meet their daily communication needs through natural modes such as speech, gestures, or handwriting. After introductory chapters, they look in turn at developmental and acquired disabilities. Their topics include symbols and rate enhancement, assessing specific capabilities, instruction to support linguistic and social competence, the educational inclusion of students with complex communication needs, adults with severe aphasia and apraxia of speech, and individual with traumatic brain injury. The previous edition was published in 2005. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)