AAC Service
Northside Speech provides an AAC service for nonspeaking individuals and their families living in north Canberra.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- Nonspeaking individuals (or individuals who cannot consistently meet their communication needs through speech) of any age
- Individuals who may have a diagnosis (such as autism) that affects their ability to speak
- Caregivers and support teams seeking to learn strategies to support effective or improved communication
- Individuals, families, and support teams with a goal they wish to achieve (i.e. something they wish to gain from therapy)
- Individuals living within north Canberra (including Inner North, Gungahlin, and Belconnen regions), or via telehealth
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Our AAC service:
- Is a home visit service or via telehealth
- Focusses on building caregiver and support team capacity to support effective or improved communication
- Promotes strategies that support long term outcomes
- Works with caregivers and the support team to make strategies practical so that goals are achievable
- Works with individuals seeking short-term support to achieve a particular goal, as well as individuals seeking support to learn or review strategies that will support them in the longer-term
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AAC SERVICES?
Our AAC services are focused on strategies that promote long-term communication development. We understand that all communication skills develop through day-to-day experiences, and our service is designed around finding practical strategies that you can use to support
We have experience with a wide range of AAC strategies, and we will work with you to find the right fit for your goals.
During an appointment, you can expect:
- The speech pathologist will ask you about any progress you have noticed towards your goals
- You will discuss strategies you have tried, and what has or hasn’t worked
- The speech pathologist will work with you to adjust or add new strategies that are likely to help meet your goals
- You will learn and have the chance to practice these strategies
- The speech pathologist will work with you to put this into practice in a way that works for your situation
Our AAC services are professional speech pathology services. Speech pathology appointments will not replace nor resemble childcare, education, or support work activities. We are happy to work with educators and support workers as members of the support team to implement AAC strategies.
HOW DO I ACCESS THE AAC SERVICE?
This service accepts NDIS participants, as well as individuals who are not NDIS participants.