Augmentative and Alternate Communication (AAC) @ Children’s Treatment Network of Simcoe

Children’s Treatment Network – Augmentative Communication Consultation Service (ACCS) is an Assistive Devices Program (ADP) accredited general level clinic. It provides support to clients and their local teams seeking specialty team consultation to address specific AAC needs. For example, high technology device assessment and possible prescription with government funding. SLPs can refer individuals who meet ALL of the following criteria, the child-youth is younger than 19 years of age and lives in Simcoe County or York Region the child-youth is a direct accessor (able to point directly to items) the child-youth is an intentional symbolic communicator with picture discrimination (combination of core and fringe vocabulary) the child-youth has more than one communication function beyond requesting the child-youth’s receptive language (understanding) is significantly better than expressive language abilities the child-youth’s communication system is used and supported at home (in addition to daycare, school, or other environments) ACCS SLPs do not focus on verbal articulation skills directly (although research informs us that use of AAC may help develop verbal skills). Therefore, if AAC is not needed or wanted, the child-youth will be transferred back to local team for articulation supports.