AAC Therapy Session

Just getting an AAC system is not enough! 

Great evaluations have been completed only to result in the AAC system sitting on the shelf at home, in the backpack, at school, or stored away in a drawer.  

What is missing?

  • Professional Instruction in proper implementation

  • Coaching the patient and family  in making progress 

  • Instructions in how to operate the aac system

Ultimately, AAC systems are about communication which we are all familiar with, and because AAC involves using communication tools most of us have never used, we underestimate what is needed to properly use AAC. Sadly, this leaves your loved one frustrated in not being able to communicate with the world.

After making the decision to use the AAC system, ongoing therapy sessions are often required to implement  it.  It is important the therapy sessions be led by someone who understands AAC and is knowledgeable in language development. 

A speech therapist knowledgeable in AAC is invaluable for good implementation and to really bring the process to life.

We need to develop language.

When a device is obtained, many times that is the beginning. Most of the time we need to help the individual acquire the ability to communicate by:

  • Teaching and expanding vocabulary

  • Teaching how to communicate with complete thoughts

  • Teaching how to understand what other people say and how to respond

  • Teaching social interaction

This is called language development. To develop language, we need to focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Most of the time, therapy only focuses on speaking and listening. This leaves the person using AAC at a deficit because everyone else has access to reading and writing as well. There are many reading and writing programs, with the majority not designed for someone who is non-speaking.

Use Your Words provides a solution. 

We are trained in literacy methods targeting reading and writing for individuals who communicate using a communication system.

“Mike is very skilled at involving the entire family with the therapy sessions. He is patient as they learn to model the device. Mike also met us in the community, so [our son] could get hands on practice.

Mike has exceptional knowledge of AAC and guided us to select a new device. Mike works closely with our school team to provide support and knowledge.

Now that [our son] is more skilled with his device his verbal sentences have lengthened. This has made it easier for us to follow his meaning.

Our family feels very blessed to have had Mike work with our son.”

We have fun!

We have fun in our therapy sessions!  We don’t take a drill approach during our sessions.  Instead, we use real world activities including playing games, reading books, arts and crafts, singing songs, and social interaction.  For adults, we get an overview of their daily life and tailor goals specifically to them.  It is not important that our patients name a picture on a card, rather, it is important that our patients are able to communicate.  We don’t focus on drills; we focus on interaction.  We view each patient as an independent individual, with their own feelings, thoughts, and personality.  As such, we enjoy finding everyone’s interests, stories, ambitions, and overall personality because it makes our approach fun for us as well!

Appointment Details

  • We provide evaluations in our Naperville office.

    We also work virtually if our office location is not convenient.

  • Hours are by appointment only. We have appointments available Monday-Friday. Please call or contact us to schedule an appointment or a free consultation.

  • At Use Your Words, we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. We are happy to work with you to help you understand your insurance benefits for speech and communication services.

    We also offer a self-pay fee for communication services. For details, contact us at (630) 296-7377.

  • The short answer is everyone! Our staff are licensed speech-language pathologists who also specialize in alternative and augmentative communication. We work with a range of verbal ability and diagnoses including Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Cognitive Impairment, and many other conditions that affect communication and speech. See Who We Serve

    Communication and speech challenges know no age limit. We see children, adolescents, and adults.

Take the First Step
on Your Journey With Us

Perhaps you have questions you would like to ask before you decide to become our client. We offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation to answer any questions you have to help determine if our approach is right for you.