Our Services
Communication Pathways provides Evaluations, Assessments, Consultations and Workshops in the areas of Augmentative and Alternative Communications (AAC) and Assistive Technology for Learning (AT).
The Communication Pathways team are Speech Language Pathologists with an expertise in AAC and AT. Our staff partners with the child’s educational team and/or caregivers to insure the most appropriate tools and strategies for communication and learning. Our team is available to support the child and team through the entire processes from evaluations through on-going on-site consultations.
| AAC and AT On-site Evaluation and Assessment | Our Speech Language Pathologists can best determine if the child would benefit from Assistive Technology and/or Augmentative Communication through an on-site evaluation. An evaluation entails: direct observation in the child's natural communication environments, interviews with caregivers and educational staff, record review, technology research, presentation of results, and facilitation of team meeting to discuss evaluation results and how to best meet the child's needs. By identifying low and high tech strategies, a child is able to communicate in a wide variety of settings and experiences. |
| Funding Development and Support | Communication Pathways provides support in developing and coordinating the request for funding an AAC device. The process for developing this request for funding, called a Durable Medical Equipment Prescription (DME), can be complicated and time consuming. Communication Pathways develops the AAC report, Plan of Care, and Plan of Service. We can then help coordinate the acquisition of all required paperwork for submission to insurance, Medicaid and/or Medicare. |
| On-going Consultations, AAC Support and Training |
The acquisition of a device is only the first step in the journey to communication. Through on-going consultation, Communication Pathways is able to help the child and the child's team, make the most of the AAC device. Device Programming: Our staff offers expertise in device programming to meet a child's unique needs, as well as device comparisons, demonstrations and technical support. Customized Vocabulary Selection: Our team of certified Speech Language Pathologists can customize vocabulary selection and development along with the implementation of all types of AAC devices. Support and training is provided in the primary communication environments of the client, ensuring appropriate selection of vocabulary. All services are customized to the unique needs and knowledge base of each client and his or her team. Building the Skills of the Educational Team and Parents: To be truly effective, the child, educational team, and parents/caregivers must build proficiency with the AAC device. Through ongoing consultation, the Communication Pathways can develop and implement an outcomes-based training plan to build the skills through one-to-one support, workshops or a combination of the two. |
| Professional Development | Communication Pathways provides Professional Development workshops customized to meet your unique needs. Commonly requested workshops include: Addressing communication needs of individuals with Autism IntelliTools: An Introduction to using IntelliKeys and Overlay Maker Introduction to Speaking Dynamically Pro Learning to operate and program high-tech communication devices from such companies as: DynaVox, Prentke Romich, WordsPlus, Mayer-Johnson and programs including BoardMaker (all versions), Dragon Naturally Speaking, Kidspiration Scripting for AAC Vocabulary Development Adapting Materials for Students with Special Needs Independence in Assistive Technology (AT) Universal Design: Modifying and adapting activities for children with special needs |
