The charity is run by volunteers and recognised by the medical profession as a resource for information and support needed for the family nursing their child at home. A tracheostomy is an artificial opening into the trachea into which a tube is inserted . It is through this tube that the child breathes. It is vital the airway is kept clear by removing any secretions that form. The child's vocalization and speech is often affected by the tracheostomy.
Some children have a partial air leak through the vocal cords aiding some vocalization.
Others are not so fortunate. All these children are assessed by the speech and language therapist, and many need speech and language therapy at some stage. Some children have a speaking valve inserted into their tube. ACT has approximately 500 members. Some are associate members from the medical profession and interested persons such as teachers and speech and language therapists.