At SRMC, our goal is to provide all individuals with a mode of communication that allows them to express their wants, needs, and ideas and to further develop their social communication skills. Our therapists provide assessments to determine the best AAC option for the individual and therapy services to develop AAC competencies so the individual can communicate more effectively. Our therapists provide individualized assessment and treatment to find the communication modality that best fits the patient’s needs.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication utilizes low-tech and/or high-tech communication options to promote communication for individuals in a variety of environments. The overall goal of AAC therapy is to provide access to expressive communication. AAC therapy may be suggested for both adult and pediatric patients. AAC therapy at SRMC includes the following strategies to help an individual become a successful communicator or maintain successful communication:
- Developing AAC competencies with targeted goals
- Using core word teaching strategies
- Supporting children and adults who use AAC
- Integrating literacy instruction
- Supporting communication partners and caregivers
- Increasing engagement and motivation for communication
- Facilitating carryover of skills to all communication environments
