Augmentative and Alternative Communication

We provide services in the areas of evaluation, training and short-term treatment. An evaluation is typically a 2-hour appointment to determine what AAC supports are the most appropriate for your child. Training is typically a 1-hour appointment to help with your AAC system setup and teach you how to use it with your child. We also offer short-term therapy with a family-centered training approach. This is to support a family’s use of an AAC system in therapy with weekly home activities to support system use at home.

Conditions We Treat

Therapists in the AAC Program work with children who have speech problems due to:

  • Autism
  • Apraxia
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Craniofacial differences
  • Developmental delay
  • Metabolic and genetic conditions
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Dysarthria

Services We Offer

We offer these services:

  • Evaluation

    In an AAC evaluation, we assess your child’s ability to communicate with whatever methods they are used to using. Then we evaluate their ability to expand their communication skills using AAC systems or strategies.

  • Treatment

    Based on your child’s evaluation, we may recommend short-term therapy at Children’s. Family, school personnel and community therapists are important members of a child’s treatment team. We encourage them to come to treatment sessions.

  • Training

    When we recommend using an AAC system, we provide training for the child, family, caregivers and school staff about that system to ensure success. Training is typically included as part of a child’s treatment program.

Telemedicine at Seattle Children’s

Your child’s first appointment in our clinic will be in person and take about 90 minutes. Later visits may be offered via telehealth (virtual). Learn more.

Paying for Care

Learn about paying for care at Seattle Children’s, including insurance coverage, billing and financial assistance.

Access Additional Resources

Get resources for patients and families, including information on food, housing, transportation, financial assistance, mental health and more.