For many non-speaking or minimally verbal communicators, AAC changes everything.  This type of technology allows kids to verbally interact with their environment, either while their motor speech skills catch up or on a long-term basis.  Your child might benefit from AAC if they are autistic, a 'late talker,' or currently have speech that is very difficult to understand.  AAC is a tool, and a good one, for enabling communication with a wide range of listeners and decreasing the frustration that occurs when children aren't able to be understood.  What's more, AAC supports the development of spoken communication: research has shown that using an AAC device actually leads children to develop more speech.

There are many different types of devices and a variety of pageset styles that can enable kids to communicate clearly and effectively.  Rachel is skilled at assessing your child's communication and recommending an appropriate AAC option. Additionally, there are some children who have diffiuclty connecting with an AAC device, which can be due to a multitude of factors from the variation in picture symbols to the way AAC is introduced and encouraged across settings to the actual layout of the buttons on the page.  Over the years, Rachel has worked with scores of children and their families to develop an AAC system that fits their needs, strengths, and communication style.  

Most recently, Rachel has developed a new pageset/organization system for speech generating devices that allows gestalt language processors who haven't previously experienced success with AAC to use a device that reflects their unique language development path.  Often, these communicators are only minimally successful with the one-word-at-a-time approach offered by the 'big box' AAC pagesets, and using a different framework for organizing vocabulary & social communication has led to tremendous success for AAC users who are also gestalt language processors.

AAC Playgroup is another highlight of the week at Brightspot.  Currently offered for preschoolers and kindergartners on Wednesdays from 11-12, this hour is dedicated to children who communicate using AAC and their caregivers, with weekly themes revolving around participants' favorite topics. We read a high-interest AAC-adapted book, enjoy an art or sensory activity, then have free play time for connection with other AAC users and their parents. Please join us! 

AAC Options: