Augmentative Communication Services (ACS)
Communication can take many forms and for children and youth who are verbal but struggle to communicate clearly or nonverbal, communication can come through the support of technology. Whether it’s eye blink or eye gaze technology, a modified computer, or an iPad with special touchscreen capabilities, our team finds a solution to meet the needs and ability of each child or youth.
We are an Expanded Level Clinic with the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care. This means we are able to prescribe a wide range of technology to support face to face communication and written communication that can be purchased or leased. Services are provided at our main Waterloo Site, and as appropriate, in the client’s home, school or community.
Through a team-based approach, families are supported through the knowledge and expertise of speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, communicative disorder assistants, rehabilitation technologist and/or a special education liaison teacher. ACS provides assessment and consultation services for children and youth until adult transition living in Waterloo Region or Guelph-Wellington. For adult ACS Clinics, contact ADP for a list of current adult clinics in your area.
Services are provided for clients who have one or both of the following alternate and/or augmentative communication needs:
- Face-to-Face Communication: Individuals who are non-verbal or who are verbal but are very difficult to understand and require some alternative or augmentative means of communicating.
- Writing Aids: Individuals who have a physical disability that affects their written communication skills, have home writing needs and demonstrate literacy skills to the level of recognizing letters, writing his/her name and composing simple sentences.