AAC Assessments


A thorough AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) assessment is imperative to determining what type of AAC system a person with complex communication needs requires.  An AAC assessment looks at a person's current communication system as well as their current abilities, limitations and communication needs.  


The purpose of the AAC assessment is to determine the communication system (e.g., signs, pictures, speech generating device, Tablet with communication App) that would best meet the current and future communication needs of the person with complex communication needs.


An AAC assessment should be conducted by a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) who specializes in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) following evidence based practice.  A Voice Discovered can help you locate an SLP with this experience to conduct an AAC assessment.  If you are working with an SLP already , there are questions from ASHA (American Speech - Language - Hearing Association) you can ask to discuss his/her level of experience and comfort working with AAC.  Click on the link below.


Questions to ask my SLP about AAC.   


A Voice Discovered will also help evaluate any AAC assessments that have been conducted to determine if they meet specific requirements that are often needed for funding through Insurance and/or Medicaid/Medi-Cal.  Links to these requirements are provided in the funding section.


It is important to keep in mind that a Tablet with a Communication App is still a form of AAC, so an AAC assessment is still important to determine whether a Tablet with a Communication App is the best system and if so, which Communication App is the best fit.