The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) program at Wake Forest Baptist Health provides AAC evaluations, recommendations for appropriate alternative or augmentative communication systems, and ongoing treatment for children who are non-verbal or whose speech is severely impaired. Any child who is unable to communicate verbally may benefit from an AAC evaluation including children with the following diagnoses:

  • Motor speech disorders
  • Progressive illnesses
  • Receptive and/or expressive language disorders
  • Developmental delay
  • Brain injury
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Autism
  • Congenital anomalies

The AAC evaluation is conducted by a speech-language pathologist and includes assessment of current receptive and expressive language skills and articulation skills. Cognitive skills, motor skills, vision and hearing are all taken into consideration to determine the most effective method of alternative or augmentative communication for the child.
 
During the evaluation, different options for communication are trialed and may include picture symbols, switch scanning, eye gaze, head pointing or direct selection using pointing. Several different vocabulary systems may be trialed on an app or dynamic display speech generating device.
 
At the conclusion of the evaluation, the speech-language pathologist makes recommendations and will assist the family with all necessary paperwork in order to secure funding for a communication device through medical insurance if possible. The speech-language pathologist can also provide ongoing speech/language therapy to teach the child and the family to use the system effectively for communication in all settings.

To schedule an Augmentative and Alternative Communication evaluation for your child, please call 336-716-3103.