FAQs – AAC and locked-in syndrome

• What is locked-in syndrome?

Locked-in syndrome is a very rare neurological disorder. The person is fully conscious and aware, and can reason and think normally. They cannot speak or move as they have complete paralysis of voluntary muscles in all parts of the body except for those that control eye movement.

• What causes it?

This syndrome may result from traumatic brain injury or diseases affecting circulation or nerve cells, such as motor neuron(e) disease. Anyone can be affected by locked-in syndrome, but adults who have had a brain haemorrhage or stroke are at higher risk.

• What help is available?

Useful information available at

Headway – the Brain Injury Association

Motor Neurone Disease Association

MND Scotland

Stroke Association (PDF)

• Can you communicate if you have locked-in syndrome?

If you have good eye control, you may be able to use a low tech e-tran or high tech eye gaze method of AAC, as described on this website.