At Conquer Therapy Services, based in St. Louis, Missouri, we’ve witnessed the profound impact of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to enable every child to communicate effectively. As pediatric occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists, we have dedication to support families meet their children’s communication needs. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the significance of AAC devices and share inspiring success stories from our practice.
Understanding AAC Devices
AAC devices encompass a range of communication tools tailored to individual needs, from picture boards to speech-generating devices. We provide comprehensive solutions that consider each child’s communication abilities, cognitive skills, and physical capabilities, ensuring effective communication support.
Benefits of AAC Devices
Facilitating Communication: AAC devices empower nonverbal children to express thoughts, emotions, and needs, fostering social interaction and emotional connection with caregivers and peers.
Promoting Language Development: Through AAC, children with limited verbal skills in St. Louis, Missouri, have access to vocabulary and language structures that support language learning and acquisition.
Increasing Independence: AAC devices enable children to participate actively in daily activities, promoting autonomy, confidence, and self-esteem.
Enhancing Educational Opportunities: AAC devices facilitate access to educational resources, promoting academic success and inclusion in classroom settings.
Success Story: Journey to Expressive Communication
Alex, a five-year-old boy from St. Louis, with autism displayed limited verbal communication. He had so much to say and behaviors were starting to develop. Alex was frustrated that people could not understand his desires and needs. After evaluation, trials, consultations and training, Alex was provided with a speech-generating device tailored to his needs. Today, Alex confidently communicates his needs for his favorite snacks, toys and using his device to foster social connections with peers and family members.
Success Story: Pathway to Academic Achievement
Emily, a nine-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, struggled to fully participate in the classroom activities. Her teachers knew that she comprehended far more than she could reiterate or display with her verbal words. Once she was equipped with her personalized AAC device, Emily actively participated in classroom activities. Emily was now able to achieve academic progress and gaining newfound confidence in her abilities.
Tips for Implementing AAC Devices
- Individualized Assessment: At our Creve Coeur office, our team administers comprehensive assessments to determine the most suitable AAC device for each child. We will consider each unique need and preference.
- Collaborative Approach: We involve parents, teachers, and caregivers in the implementation process, ensuring consistency across environments and promoting generalization of communication skills.
- Consistent Modeling: Through consistent modeling, we demonstrate the use of AAC devices during interactions with the child, providing opportunities for observation and imitation of communication behaviors.
- Ongoing Support and Training: Our practice offers continuous support and training to both the child and caregivers, optimizing device usage and addressing any challenges that may arise.
Our Conquer Therapy Services AAC team dedicates supporting children with limited verbal communication beyond clinical practice. Through personalized solutions and collaborative support, we empower children to communicate with confidence and dignity. This will enrich their lives and fostering meaningful connections within our community.
If you know someone who could benefit or who struggles with verbal communication, please contact us. We would love to discuss our AAC program with you.