AAC Services

PRIVATE SERVICES

AAC EVALUATIONS AND THERAPY

 

 

Private services include Evaluations, Therapy, and Family Coaching and Training.

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1. STUDENT EVALUATIONS

My AAC services typically starts with a comprehensive assessment of your child. Through a combination of observations, questionnaires, and formal assessment tools, the aim is to identify your child's unique communication challenges and needs and create an individual therapy plan that helps them express themselves anywhere - at home, school, and in the community.

 

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Evaluations

An AAC evaluation is appropriate for anyone whose verbal speech is not sufficiently meeting their communication needs. The goal is to identify current communication skills, identify receptive and expressive language challenges, and match each individual to their best-fit communication system. As a part of this process, as required, AAC device trials, a parent training session, and recommended devices for you to use at home, if needed are provided.

 

Functional Communication Evaluations for Current AAC Users

For individuals who already have an alternative form of communication, an assessment will be completed to identify and describe current functional communication skills, receptive and expressive language abilities, and areas that may benefit from support. This process provides valuable information current communication skills and allows for expanding their existing communication skills.

 

Equipment & AAC Programs for Evaluations, including:

High-Technology Devices/Software with:

• LAMP

• Grid for iPad

• Grid 3

• Proloquo2Go 

• TouchChat with WordPower

• Proloquo4Text 

• Predictable 

• TD Snap and Snap PODD

• GoTalkNow

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Mid-Technology and Light-Technology Systems:

• PODD Communication Books  

• Switches 

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Loaner Devices for trials if needed from:

• Talk to Me Technologies/Smartbox

• Ablenet

• PRC-Saltillo

• Tobii Dynavox

 

2. AAC THERAPY

The right communication tools and plan need to be matched with every child.  I follow your child's lead in therapy and incorporate their interests to promote motivation, connection, and engagement. It is critical to have parents and family members involved in the process to support communication development between speech therapy sessions.

 

Overall Language Skills

Receptive and expressive language development helps our clients understand and use their robust picture vocabulary. My sessions integrate literacy skills that are needed for reading, spelling, and written expression. 

 

Linguistic and Social Communication Skills

Linguistic and social communication skills are important for building positive relationships and advocating for one's self. I help our students initiate, maintain, and complete communication in a variety of ways and situations.

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Operational & Strategic Skills

Technical skills required to use an AAC system, as well as important strategies for getting someone's attention, checking for partner comprehension, and repairing breakdowns in communication when needed.

 

3. FAMILY AAC COACHING AND TRAINING 

In-person and virtual AAC training sessions are provided to give you opportunities to ask questions, observe implementation techniques, and practice those techniques with your child at home.  Helping parents, caregivers, and family members become confident in supporting their child's AAC journey is an important part of this process. Coaching and training sessions will help you:

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•  Feel confident in your ability to use your child's AAC system in daily life activities;

• Learn strategies and techniques to expand your child's communication skills;

• Understand and  troubleshooting challenges with your child's AAC device; and

•  Answer any questions by an expert in AAC and assistive technology.