Overview
Many professionals working with people who have cerebral palsy aren’t aware of the benefits of AAC, even though studies show that it can dramatically improve communication skills and overall quality of life. TD is here to support prescribing clinicians, including speech therapists and other medical professionals, who are interested in AAC for their clients with cerebral palsy. We offer expertise and resources to guide you every step of the way. Let’s start by looking at each AAC journey stage:
During an initial evaluation, the prescribing clinician will gather detailed information about their client’s communication abilities and needs. This evaluation will be used as a basis for recommending AAC.
During this stage, the prescribing clinician will document their client’s necessity for AAC and determine the right solution to match their needs and goals. This will be used as a basis to write a prescription for an AAC device.
During the funding stage, the prescribing clinician submits the necessary documentation so that their client can secure financial coverage for the AAC device. This will include communicating with funding and insurance sources and assisting with the application process. It may also involve arranging device trials.
Once their client has received the funded device, it may be customized based on their communication goals and preferences. This will happen together with the client and their care circle to ensure they get the most out of their AAC device.
During this last stage, the clinician who helped secure funding for the AAC device often assists their client with ongoing support. They also usually help monitor and adapt the device to keep up with their client’s evolving needs.
Discover AAC in action for people with cerebral palsy:
As a speech therapist evaluating people with cerebral palsy for assistive communication, you will first gather detailed information about their abilities and needs. We’ve curated the following free resources to help you succeed during the evaluation stage of the AAC journey.
This needs assessment can be completed as part of an initial AAC evaluation. It can also be used as part of an on-going assessment after AAC strategies and tools have been implemented. It is most effective when completed by multiple members of the care circle, with as much input from the AAC user as possible.
You may have heard that children with cerebral palsy shouldn’t start AAC too early. Or conversely, that it’s too late to start AAC with an adolescent or adult with cerebral palsy. You may have even heard that augmentative communication won’t work for people who are too impaired. In fact, research shows the opposite is true. We’ve debunked some common myths about AAC for people with cerebral palsy in a set of printable posters, to help you educate others with facts and evidence. Simply download and print this free resource to display in your clinic, school or hospital.
Once the evaluation stage is complete, you’ll be ready to start recommending assistive communication to match your clients’ needs and goals. At this stage, it’s possible to help your clients find solutions to express themselves their way – anywhere, anytime with low-tech (print-based) or high-tech AAC. Here are some resources and information to get started with recommending AAC solutions for people with cerebral palsy:
Tobii Dynavox offers low-tech resources to support people with cerebral palsy:
A library of symbol-based visuals to help people with communication disabilities express themselves.
A set of printable, low-tech AAC communication boards and books plus other resources to foster communication, language and literacy skills.
Tobii Dynavox makes the following purpose-built assistive communication solutions to support people with cerebral palsy:
A purpose-built speech generating device controlled with your eyes to communicate and access Windows.
An iPad-based speech generating device controlled with your eyes to communicate and access iPadOS.
A simple text-to-speech app that enables natural conversation using just your eyes or hands.
A symbol-supported AAC app offering a choice of solutions, including Core First, Motor Plan, PODD and Text page sets.
A full assistive communication solution for people with cerebral palsy includes device mounts for wheelchairs, desks and floors. Tobii Dynavox offers a collection of mounts to ensure your voice is heard wherever you go.
People using Tobii Dynavox assistive communication solutions can choose a synthetic voice that resonates with them. This can include anything from a specific language, to a type of accent within a language, to a voice that sounds like a certain age and gender, including many options for children and teen voices.
The Learning Hub offers self-guided training opportunities, created by Tobii Dynavox professionals, available anytime. Create a free account and log in to access a library of online courses, recorded webinars, videos, quick guides, and other valuable resources. Once logged in, you can search the course catalog for the following resources to help you learn more about the recommendation stage of the AAC journey for cerebral palsy:
Course names and numbers:
Now that you have recommended an AAC solution for your client, it’s time to secure funding to help them cover device costs. This will involve navigating a complex application process that takes time and perseverance. We’ve worked hard to help simplify the process as much as possible. This includes guidance from an in-house team of funding specialists and a dedicated e-funding website to help guide you every step of the way:
A dedicated, experienced, in-house funding team that acts as a guide and liaison with hundreds of insurance companies. This helps clinicians and their clients secure funding to help cover device costs.
A website with step-by-step instructions to help clinicians navigate and apply for financial coverage of a communication device. This how-to website covers both the offline and e-funding process.
After securing funding for our eye gaze-based speech generating devices, we offer everything you need to know about getting set up and using them. We’ve made it easy to get started with a device, its pre-loaded software TD Snap or TD Talk, and even keyguards. We offer a getting started guide, ongoing learning resources and related low-tech solutions to complement TD Snap, including communication books and Core First Learning. If you get stuck, tech support is available every day. And if something goes wrong, there’s a comprehensive warranty.
A purpose-built speech generating device controlled with your eyes to communicate and access Windows.
An iPad-based speech generating device controlled with your eyes to communicate and access iPadOS.
A simple text-to-speech app that enables natural conversation using just your eyes or hands.
A symbol-supported AAC app offering a choice of solutions, including Core First, Motor Plan, PODD and Text page sets.
Now that you and your clients are on their way with assistive communication, the last stage may very well be the most important one: ensuring ongoing success. You’ve helped your clients come this far, and they will continue to look to you for continued support. We are always here to help guide you with the following resources:
Boost your knowledge of our products, learn implementation strategies, stay up-to-date on best practices and more with live and on-demand learning.
Search our database of frequently asked questions for answers about many of our products and services.
Contact our dedicated support team and find links to common topics such as warranties, repairs and funding.
Get industry-leading support through a 5-year warranty, available with all Tobii Dynavox devices.
Don’t forget that you can always reach out to a Tobii Dynavox Solutions Consultant near you for guidance. We’re here to help you and your clients succeed on this AAC journey.
