A lternative C ommunication - CAAC provides augmentative communication evaluation and ongoing consultation services to children and adults. Our goal is to provide individuals who are nonspeaking with the means to say what is on their mind without the need for interpretation or guessing by others. Some examples of augmentative comunication methods include gestures, sign language, picture or letter boards, communication devices, computers.
Referrals come from schools, parents, physicians and individuals themselves.
Our evaluations include an initial session at our clinic in the hospital as well as a subsequent follow-up visit at the individual's home, school, or job site. After various diagnostic trials, recommendations for the most appropriate communication system are decided by all the members of the team during the initial visit. We then provide suggestions and assistance for implementing the recommended system during the follow-up visit. Ongoing consultation allows us to work with the individual and their team to continually evaluate and modify the AAC system as the individual changes and grows. In addition to augmentative communication evaluations, CAAC also provides services in computer access and environmental control.