AAC Evaluation and Treatment in Charlotte & Raleigh
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC, includes different ways of communicating beyond or in addition to spoken words. AAC can range from low-tech options such as communication boards, alphabet boards, and pictures to high-tech systems such as tablets and specialized communication devices.
At ACT Therapy Services, we believe every child deserves a way to communicate that works for them. Our goal is to help identify an AAC system that supports your child's individual communication needs while giving your family the knowledge and confidence to use it successfully in everyday life.
What Does the AAC Process Look Like at ACT?
1. Comprehensive Evaluation
Finding the communication system that fits your child
Your child's AAC journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation. Rather than simply recommending a device, we explore different options to determine which features and systems best support your child's individual communication needs.
An AAC evaluation may include:
- Trialing different AAC software and high-tech communication programs
- Feature matching to identify systems that align with your child's needs
- Clinical recommendations for appropriate AAC devices or software
- Guidance and resources for beginning AAC intervention
- Information about accessing and funding AAC devices
The goal is for your family to leave the evaluation with a clearer understanding of your child's communication needs and the next steps for moving forward with AAC.
When needed, ACT can also provide additional formal device trials and assistance with documentation and paperwork required by AAC or funding companies.
Explore → Trial → Identify the right communication system
2. Parent & Family Partnership
Helping AAC become part of everyday communication
Finding the right AAC system is only the beginning. Children need opportunities to see and use communication throughout their everyday lives-and parents, caregivers, teachers, and other communication partners play an important role in making that happen.
Our goal isn't to turn parents into therapists. We help families understand how AAC supports language development, how to model it naturally, and how to recognize and respond to all forms of communication.
ACT's Family Partnership Program includes a dedicated AAC Pathway. Families learn why AAC supports language rather than replacing it, how to model AAC during everyday routines, how to respond to communication beyond spoken words, and how to advocate for AAC support at school.
Through the formal Family Partnership Program, families can also receive additional therapist access, individualized resources, school support, and opportunities to help strategies carry over beyond the clinic.
Understand → Model → Connect → Advocate
3. Ongoing Weekly Support
Building communication skills across people, places, and activities
Once an appropriate AAC system has been identified, ongoing speech therapy focuses on helping your child use communication meaningfully and confidently.
All ACT speech therapists in Charlotte and Raleigh are trained to support AAC, from low-tech communication options to high-tech systems and specialized communication devices.
During ongoing therapy, we work to help your child build communication skills while supporting carryover into the places where communication matters most-at home, at school, during play, and in the community.
As your child's communication grows, your therapist can continue to monitor progress, adjust strategies, collaborate with caregivers and other communication partners, and help ensure your child's AAC system continues to meet their needs.
Communicate → Practice → Collaborate → Grow