There are two main methods for AAC users to select symbols.

1) A person may directly select a desired symbol from available symbols. This may be aided through the use of mechanical pointers, switches, light beams, prostheses; or unaided through the use of blinking, eye gaze, body movements, pointing, or symbol removal.

2) Individuals with limited mobility may use a scanning selection mode to speed up the selection process. In a scanning mode possible choices are offered in sequence, either one item at a time or in a row-column or block presentation

Both of the above methods may use some type of input device (such as a switch, mouse or adapted keyboard) to assist the person in making their selection. Some methods/devices utilize levels or pages to divide possible vocabulary choices. To go from one level to another a person may use low tech means by going from page to page, or high tech means in which the level/page is switched electronically.