Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Services
AAC is more than asking for what you need
It's connecting with others, sharing our experiences, advocating for ourselves, and participating in the world around us
At AugmentAbility Speech Therapy, we believe everyone deserves access to a communication system that allows them to express themselves authentically.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) includes a wide range of tools and strategies that support communication, from gestures and communication boards to speech-generating devices.
AAC can supplement spoken language or provide an alternative way to communicate. It is not limited to nonspeaking individuals. AAC can also support people who use speech, but benefit from additional ways to express themselves.
Our goal is to help each person access a communication system that reflects their unique needs, preferences, and identity while supporting greater autonomy and meaningful participation in everyday life.
AAC Services for Teenagers and Adults
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Such as nonspeaking autistic individuals, people with rare syndromes, or individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
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Such as autistic individuals who benefit from AAC to express complex thoughts, people with dysarthria or apraxia whose speech is difficult to understand, or individuals who experience intermittent difficulty using spoken language.
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Such as individuals who used a speech-generating device in high school but lost access to it after graduation or transitioning out of school-based services.
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Such as an adult who has outgrown the vocabulary available on their childhood communication device, someone whose device is outdated or no longer functional, or an individual whose physical abilities have changed and who now requires a different access method.
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Such as people whose current system works for them but is old, slow, or broken, and who need an SLP to evaluate them to get a new system through insurance funding.
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Such as individuals with cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or other neuromuscular conditions; individuals who use mechanical ventilation; or individuals who require eye-gaze technology, switch access, or other alternative methods to access communication.
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Such as individuals who have experienced a stroke or traumatic brain injury, or those with progressive neurological conditions that affect speech and language.
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Such as individuals with aphasia, severe speech sound disorders, or complex communication needs who would benefit from additional ways to express themselves.
At AugmentAbility, we recognize that communication needs are unique and can change throughout a person's life. Whether you're exploring AAC for the first time, returning to AAC after years without access, or looking for a system that better meets your current needs, AugmentAbility Speech Therapy is here to help. AugmentAbility Speech Therapy specializes in working with teenagers and adults who:
Evaluation
An AAC evaluation is the first step in finding a communication system that truly works for an individual. At AugmentAbility Speech Therapy, our evaluations are personalized, collaborative, and focused on the communicator’s real-life needs—not just what looks good on paper. During the evaluation, we:
Learn about the communicator’s current communication skills—what’s working well and what’s challenging
Explore their communication needs at home, school, work, and in the community
Look at access methods—how they can best use AAC (touch, switches, eye gaze, etc.)
Try a variety of low-, mid-, and high-tech AAC options
Involve family and team members to ensure the AAC will be supported everywhere
Collect data in real-life settings whenever possible
Trial
An AAC trial is a chance to test-drive different communication systems before choosing one to use long-term. During trials, we:
Explore a variety of AAC options (low-tech through high-tech speech-generating devices)
Match system features to the communicator’s needs, strengths, and preferences
Try different access methods (touch, switch, eye gaze, etc.)
Collect real-world data on ease of use, communication success, and motivation
Include family and support team input at every step
Therapy
Once we’ve identified a strong AAC match, we provide therapy focused on:
Building the user’s confidence and independence in communicating
Expanding vocabulary and sentence building
Supporting all forms of communication (speech, gestures, AAC)
Coaching families, educators, and support staff so AAC is available and supported everywhere
Teaching strategies for real-life communication—whether that’s telling a joke, asking for help, or sharing an opinion
