Who is ready for a referral?

Face-to-Face Communication

• Child/youth’s need: A child/youth who is non-speaking OR has limited functional speech that doesn’t meet their communication needs across environments.
• Caregiver commitment: A parent/caregiver has been identified and are committed to facilitating the child/youth’s use of augmentative communication. This person must be present at the child’s home and may extend into other environments. (Scroll down to "Why is caregiver involvement essential?" for details.)
• Use of AAC:
  • Purposefully communicating 20+ messages using augmentative communication in a symbolic way. This may include picture symbols, photographs, sign language, specific gestures or meaningful media scripts. (Scroll down to "Why is using 20 symbols important?" for details.)
    OR
  • The child is not communicating 20+ symbols due to physical limitations. Physical limitations may be related to differences in motor/muscle, vision and/or hearing. They are making attempts to communicate with intention and have known preferences. 

Written Communication

• Children/youth who have a physical disability that affects their ability to write and/or type.
• These children/youth have the literacy skills to write and have home writing needs but are not able to use paper and pencil and are not able to use a standard keyboard or mouse.

Both

• Children/youth who have both face-to-face and written communication needs – see above descriptions.

Make a referral today!

Why is using 20 symbols important?

• The child/youth gains an understanding of symbols and that they can be used to communicate.
• It clarifies a child/youth’s desire to communicate.
• It indicates a gap between what the child/youth understands and what they can express.
• The child/youth gains experience using symbols that they can build on.
• It indicates the child/youth is aware their speech is not well understood and they are willing to use another method to clarify communication breakdowns.
• It helps with initial vocabulary selection.

Why is caregiver involvement essential?

• We know that children/youth learn best with consistent support. Family and caregivers have the most important role on the team and are necessary to participate in all stages of ACS service delivery.
• Because our service is consultation-based, your commitment and active participation is crucial to help your child/youth reach their full potential. You are their AAC champion!

What if the child/youth is not ready?

• If your child is physically able, but is using fewer than 20 symbols to express themselves, or is only using symbols to increase understanding (e.g., visual supports) they would not be ready for a full ACS assessment.
• Your child's community therapist (i.e. SLP or OT) can refer for a consultation session so that we can help you with ideas about how to begin to use symbols to communicate or what to try next. Clinicians may learn more here.