AAC Evaluations in Denver
Every child deserves a way to share their thoughts, needs, feelings, and ideas.
At Sound Bites Speech & Feeding Therapy, we help families explore communication tools that fit their child’s needs. Our individualized augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluations consider how your child communicates, compare suitable options, and provide recommendations for everyday life.
What Is AAC?
AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. It includes tools & strategies that support spoken communication or provide another way to express yourself.
AAC can include:
Gestures and signs.
Pictures, communication boards, and books.
Communication apps.
Dedicated speech-generating devices.
Children may use several methods together, depending on the situation and what they want to communicate.
Could an AAC Evaluation Help Your Child?
Your child may communicate through sounds, gestures, movement, pictures, or spoken words. An AAC evaluation explores additional options when their current communication methods do not consistently meet their needs.
Families may seek an evaluation when their child:
Uses few or no spoken words.
Has speech that others find difficult to understand.
Uses speech but cannot consistently express everything they want to say.
Needs additional communication options across people, places, or situations.
Already has a communication system that may need reassessment.
We start by understanding how your child already communicates and where additional support could help.
Communication Tools That Fit Your Child
Choosing a communication system involves understanding the person who will use it.
We consider your child’s communication needs, access methods, interests, and everyday environments. Recommendations may include a combination of electronic and paper-based tools.
The goal is to support communication for more than requesting items. Your child also needs opportunities to ask questions, share opinions, tell stories, connect with others, and express feelings.
What Happens During an AAC Evaluation?
1. Learn About Your Child
We discuss your child’s communication history, interests, strengths, and daily routines. Your observations and priorities help guide the evaluation. Relevant reports and information from your child’s current providers can also help us understand their needs.
2. Explore Communication Options
We consider communication tools suited to your child’s needs. Options may include communication boards, books, apps, and dedicated speech-generating devices.
3. Trial and Compare Systems
Trials help us compare how different options support your child’s communication. We consider features such as:
Available vocabulary and how it is organized.
How your child selects messages.
Screen layout and symbol presentation.
Portability and use during daily activities.
Support needed from communication partners.
The evaluation may take more than one appointment, depending on your child’s needs and the trials required.
4. Review Recommendations
We explain the findings and discuss recommended communication tools, strategies, and next steps.
Recommendations may include additional trials, device-funding steps, or ongoing support from your child’s treating speech-language pathologist.
Already Working With a Speech Therapist?
You can contact Sound Bites about an AAC evaluation even if your child receives speech therapy elsewhere.
Our evaluation service focuses on assessing communication needs, comparing suitable systems, and developing recommendations. With your permission, we can coordinate with your child’s current providers to share findings and support planning.
Receiving an evaluation through Sound Bites does not require transferring your child’s ongoing speech therapy to our practice.
Why Choose Sound Bites?
An Individualized Evaluation
We consider your child’s strengths, preferences, communication methods, and daily routines. Recommendations reflect their individual needs.
Family Priorities Matter
You know your child’s everyday communication experiences. We include your observations and questions throughout the evaluation.
Respect for Every Way Your Child Communicates
We recognize speech, gestures, sounds, pictures, and devices as meaningful communication. The evaluation builds on the ways your child already expresses themselves.
Clear Findings and Next Steps
We explain what we observed, why particular options are recommended, and what steps may follow the evaluation.
AAC Evaluations in Familiar Settings
Sound Bites provides mobile pediatric services within our South Denver service area.
Evaluating communication in familiar settings can help us understand how different tools fit into your child’s routines. Contact us to discuss available evaluation locations and current availability in your community.
Insurance, Payment & Device Funding
We discuss payment options before the evaluation so you can understand potential costs and ask questions.
Private Pay, HSA & FSA
Private-pay evaluations are available. We review rates before services begin and accept HSA and FSA cards for eligible expenses.
Communication Device Funding
Coverage for an AAC evaluation and funding for a communication device are separate considerations.
If a device is recommended, we discuss the next steps and clarify our role in providing evaluation documentation. Device approval depends on the requirements of the funding source.
Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
We accept Health First Colorado for eligible AAC evaluation services. Eligibility and benefits are verified before your child’s appointment. Coverage depends on applicable requirements and the services provided.
Superbills
Superbills are available upon request for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement is determined by your insurance plan and is not guaranteed.
Advanced Training & Certifications
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. AAC does not prevent speech development. It provides additional ways to communicate and can be used alongside speech and language support. Each child’s speech development is different.
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No. Children do not need to reach a particular age, test score, or developmental milestone before AAC can be considered. The evaluation identifies tools and supports suited to your child.
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No. AAC can also support children who use speech but cannot consistently communicate everything they want to say.
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Not necessarily. Recommendations may include gestures, pictures, communication boards, books, electronic systems, or a combination.
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The time needed varies based on your child’s needs and the communication systems being explored. Some evaluations require multiple appointments or additional device trials. We discuss the anticipated process when scheduling.
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Bring relevant reports and any communication tools your child currently uses. Information about their interests, daily routines, and communication successes and challenges is helpful. We will explain any additional preparation before your appointment.
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Contact us to discuss the current system and your concerns. We can determine whether an evaluation is appropriate for questions about access, vocabulary, or how well the system meets your child’s needs.
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Yes. An AAC evaluation through Sound Bites can complement services your child receives elsewhere. With your permission, we can share findings and recommendations with their current providers.
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The AAC evaluation is a separate service. It includes assessment and recommendations; ongoing treatment is arranged separately. We discuss recommended follow-up and coordination with your child’s treating providers.
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Request a free consultation to discuss your child’s communication needs and evaluation availability. We will explain the intake process and any referral or documentation requirements before scheduling.
Let’s Explore Communication Options for Your Child
Tell us how your child communicates and where you would like support. We’ll discuss whether an AAC evaluation is an appropriate next step and explain how to get started.
