AAC Group Coaching

_{Published October 7, 2021}

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New! For parents/caregivers interested in learning how to be more effective when interacting with a child using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

Working with a new speech-generating device is exciting, and there’s so much to learn… from understanding the vocabulary system to programming the device and more.

What you need…is a coach. Someone to walk you through it all.

AAC Group Coaching from PRC-Saltillo is here to help!

What is AAC Group Coaching?

AAC Group Coaching provides parents/caregivers with communication partner training to increase their skills for interacting with children who use AAC for communication. It has been specifically designed for communication partners supporting children using PRC-Saltillo speech-generating devices and apps.

Duration

Over the course of four, hour-long, online sessions, participants will learn about communication techniques and strategies to encourage receptive/expressive language and communication with their child using AAC.

These sessions take place over four weeks and include six parents/caregivers and one AAC Coach, a certified speech-language pathologist with expertise in AAC and vocabulary systems.

Goal

By increasing their communication partner skills, families and caregivers will assist their children using these devices to become better communicators. This will improve their child’s ability to:

Direct self-care
Participate in learning activities
Increase independence
Increase the ability to express wants, needs, thoughts, feelings, questions, and medical concerns

AAC Group Coaching provides parents/caregivers with the chance to learn from an experienced AAC coach as well as from parents like themselves, who may have different perspectives to share.

Specific skills taught to parents/caregivers include:

The importance of making their child’s communication system available in all environments
Where to get a low-tech back-up version of their child’s communication device
Techniques for inviting children to communicate with their SGDs and not telling them what to say
Developmental language stages to assist with realistic expectations for beginning communication goals using the SGD
How to determine which vocabulary words to focus on with the SGD
Use of aided language/modeling strategies to teach and encourage communication
Where to locate numerous free and low-cost resources for continued support once the group is over

Supporting Each Other

Meeting in a small group environment allows parents/caregivers to support and encourage each other. Often parents/caregivers of children with significant communication disorders who use SGDs have had little opportunity to talk with other parents in similar situations.

AAC Group Coaching provides parents/caregivers the chance to learn from an experienced AAC coach as well as from parents like themselves who have different perspectives to share.

Sign Up Now!

Don’t wait – space is limited, and cost is only $200 for four weeks of coaching! Sign up now and learn how to help your child become a more effective communicator.

Please Note

Coaching is a service provided to the parent/caregiver to assist in their personal development as a communication partner and supporter of the individual using AAC. It is not direct speech-language therapy and therefore is not reimbursable by private insurance or Medicaid. However, you may be eligible for direct reimbursement from another source once you have paid for this service. PRC-Saltillo cannot bill any third parties for these services, but we can provide information detailing the goals for AAC Custom Coaching to you on request so that you can share it with potential sources for reimbursement.

Possible Parent Reimbursement Options

State-funded Medicaid Waivers that reimburse you for family/caregiver training (check with your caseworker for details).
State programs that provide family/caregiver training.
Service organizations, such as Psi Iota Xi, Sertoma, Lions, and Kiwanis Clubs.
Local, State, and National Grants for augmentative communication devices and services

Training