Alternative Augmentative Communication Program (AAC)

“AAC means all the ways that someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages can use AAC if they have trouble with speech or language skills. Augmentative means to add to someone’s speech. Alternative means to be used instead of speech. Some people use AAC throughout their life. Others may use AAC only for a short time, like when they have surgery and cannot talk.” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Lurie Children’s Pediatric Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Team specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with unmet communication needs. Our team offers AAC evaluations to discover appropriate tools & technology to support the development of your child’s communication skills across settings and communication partners.  

Children and adolescents who may benefit from AAC may have: 

• Difficulty understanding and/or using many words on their own  
• A medical diagnosis that is associated with communication challenges, such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Cerebral Palsy 
• Difficulty expressing everything they want to say, in all settings, with all communication partners 
• Improved understanding when given visual supports  
• Speech that is not easily understood by others

What to Expect at an Evaluation   

Evaluations include: 

• An in-depth history to understand how your child currently communicates  
• Screening and/or formal speech language assessment as appropriate 
• Trial intervention with one or more AAC systems 
• Consideration of potential methods to access the AAC system, such as using a switch or eye gaze 
• Goal setting for therapy

Recommendations may include: 

• Diagnostic AAC therapy: it may take time to select an appropriate AAC system for your child and to teach your child how to use it. 
• Referrals to other multidisciplinary programs, such as the Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics Program 
• Consultation with Occupational Therapy for individuals requiring alternative access to use the AAC system

Therapy 

AAC Therapy may be recommended following evaluation and insurance approval. The frequency and duration of treatment will be determined after the evaluation.  

For success in therapy, it is important that you: 

• Model use of the AAC system during the day in your child’s natural settings without any expectation that your child will imitate you or respond in any specific way 
• Presume competence and respond to your child’s words 
• Allow your child to explore the device and practice saying words many times  
• Focus on helping your child connect with the words that they want to use 
• Participate actively in the therapy to learn how to support communication 

Already have an AAC device and want to learn how to use it? 

We provide training focused on using AAC to find your child’s authentic voice and to help you connect with and communicate more effectively with your child.