AAC (communication devices)
AAC therapy for kids who use a communication device
AAC, short for augmentative and alternative communication, gives kids another way to communicate when verbal speech is limited. That could be a speech app, a device, a picture board or signs. Your therapist helps your child and family trial different systems, implement whichever is most helpful, or apply for a device. We see kids from age 1 to 17.
- Ages 1 to 17
- 30-minute sessions by video
- Parent coaching in every session
- Anywhere in Texas
Good to know
The short version
- AAC can be high-tech, like a speech app, or low-tech, like a picture board.
- We don't sell devices or favor a brand. We work with what your child has, or evaluate for a new device.
- AAC is used in combination with other communication attempts, which can include verbal speech, gestures and pointing, or picture boards.
Who it helps
Is this right for my child?
- Kids who say few or no words, or whose speech is hard to understand
- Kids who already have an AAC app or device but don't use it much yet
- Families who want help choosing between low-tech and high-tech options
- Kids whose speech is still developing and who need a way to communicate now
- Families who want to learn how to model AAC at home
Online sessions
What therapy looks like
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What happens in a session?
Your therapist shows you and your child how to use the system during real activities, like snack time, picking a game or telling a story. They can model on a matching copy of many common apps, or show you where to tap while you model on your child's device.
Since your child is using their own device at home, practice happens where it counts. Your therapist can watch how your child reaches and taps, and suggest changes to the layout or settings.
A tablet stand, or a second device for the video call, makes it easier for your child to use their AAC and see their therapist at the same time.
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What will I do?
Kids learn AAC the way they learn to talk: by watching other people use it. You and your other kids will learn to model, which just means tapping or pointing to words while you talk, without asking your child to copy. Keep the device close during the day. Each session we will identify a target skill or word to focus on and build their vocabulary and comfort with using the device or communication system.
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How is progress tracked?
At the evaluation, we learn how your child communicates now and set goals, like using the system to make choices, ask for help or comment. We track how your child uses it in sessions and from your notes at home, and go over it with you regularly. Every child picks up AAC at their own pace, so we won't promise a timeline.
Learn more
What kinds of AAC are there?
| Type | Examples | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| No-tech | Signs, gestures, facial expressions | Always available, but others need to know the signs |
| Low-tech | Picture cards, communication boards and books | Inexpensive and quick to start, no charging needed |
| High-tech | Speech apps on a tablet, dedicated speech-generating devices | Speaks out loud and holds a large vocabulary, needs setup and charging |
Many children use more than one type. A picture board at the pool and a tablet app at home is a common mix.
Do you recommend a certain app or device?
No. We don’t favor any app, device or company. We can help you get the most out of what your child already has, whether that is low or high tech. If they don’t have a system in place yet, we can support with trialing different options, see which is the best choice, and help with the applications for a device.
Pricing
Simple, clear pricing
One price list for everyone, and you pay per visit. We don't bill insurance, but we can provide you with a superbill for you to send to your insurance company for out-of-network coverage. We do accept HSA and FSA cards.
See pricing-
Evaluation
$175
60 minutes
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Therapy session
$75
30 minutes
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Consultation call
Free
15 minutes
Related services
You might also be looking for
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Early language skills
For babies and toddlers who are not yet talking or have only a few words, or who need support with understanding language and communicating their basic wants and needs.
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Social communication
For kids who have difficulty interacting with other kids, taking turns in play or in conversations, understanding emotions, nonliteral language, or picking up on tone of voice.
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Articulation (speech sounds)
For kids who have difficulty pronouncing certain words and sounds or who are difficult to understand when they speak.
Questions
Questions parents ask
Still wondering about something? A free 15-minute call is a good place to ask.
Will using AAC stop my child from learning to talk?
Research summarized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association hasn't found that AAC keeps kids from developing speech. For many kids, it supports language while speech develops.
Is my child too young for AAC?
There's no minimum age or set of skills a child needs first. Even toddlers can use simple AAC, like pictures or a few buttons, to make choices and ask for things.
Which AAC app or device should we buy?
Hold off until after the evaluation. The right system depends on how your child moves, sees and understands language. We don't sell anything, so our advice isn't tied to a brand.
Can you do AAC therapy over video?
Yes. Your child uses their own system at home, where it matters most, and your therapist shows you how to model during real activities.
Can you evaluate my child for a new device?
Yes. We can work with a device you already have access to, or complete a full evaluation for a new device. If you hope insurance will help pay for it, ask your plan what it needs, and we'll talk it through with you.
Ready when you are
Most families start with a 60-minute evaluation. If you'd rather talk first, book a free 15-minute call and ask us anything.
Reviewed by Whitney Silverthorn, M.S., CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist at Talking Jay.
Sources: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Practice Portal), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Telepractice (Practice Portal), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association