Manufacturer-neutral
We recommend the right device for the child, not the one with the best sales representative. Every family gets an honest match.
AAC Evaluations & Training
Every child deserves a way to say what they mean.
Comprehensive AAC evaluations, device trials, insurance-ready reports, and hands-on training for families and schools across NYC and Long Island.
- Trials with all major devices & apps
- Insurance & Medicaid funding reports
- Parent & team training included
- Not affiliated with any manufacturer
ASHA-Certified • Bilingual • Neurodiversity-Affirming • Mobile & Teletherapy
Overview
What this service is and who it's for
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) opens the world for children whose voices are not yet fully heard. Whether your child is minimally verbal, hard to understand, or communicates best in ways beyond speech, AAC gives them a real, robust, respected way to say what they mean.
Our approach is manufacturer-neutral. We evaluate your child, not a product line. We trial multiple systems, teach the adults around your child how to model, and walk with your family or school team from evaluation through daily use.
Signs to Watch For
Your child may benefit if...
Every child develops on their own timeline. These are common signs families and teachers bring to us. None of them are a diagnosis, and none of them are your fault.
- Minimally verbal or non-speaking at any age
- Speech intelligibility significantly below age expectations
- Frequent frustration or meltdowns tied to not being understood
- Limited word combinations or vocabulary growth
- A diagnosis such as autism, apraxia, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy
- Existing device that isn't being used consistently
- Reliance on gestures, pointing, or hand-leading to communicate
- IEP team has recommended an AT/AAC evaluation
What to Expect
A simple, family-first process
- 1
Intake & language assessment
Understand your child's current communication, motor access, and sensory profile.
- 2
Device trials
Hands-on trials of multiple systems, including low-tech and high-tech options, in your child's real environment.
- 3
Report & recommendation
A detailed, insurance-ready written report with device, vocabulary, and access recommendations.
- 4
Training & follow-through
Family and team coaching so the device becomes a real voice, not a shelf ornament.
Why Hand in Hand
Care that meets your family where you are
Training built in
Every AAC package includes coaching for the people around the child, because devices do not teach; people do.
Funding expertise
Reports are written to support Medicaid, private insurance, and district funding requests, with letters of medical necessity included when appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything parents ask us
What is AAC?+
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. It is any tool, strategy, or system used to support or replace spoken language, from gestures and picture symbols to dedicated speech-generating devices (SGDs) and communication apps on an iPad. AAC is not a last resort; for many children, it is a life-changing first resort.
Will AAC prevent my child from talking?+
No. Decades of research consistently show that AAC does not prevent or delay spoken language. In fact, giving children a robust way to communicate typically supports the development of speech and language skills, not the other way around.
How do I know if my child needs an AAC evaluation?+
Consider an AAC evaluation if your child is minimally verbal, has intelligibility that others struggle to understand, becomes frustrated because they cannot be understood, uses fewer words than expected for their age, has a medical or developmental diagnosis affecting speech, or currently relies on gestures and pointing to get needs met.
What happens during an AAC evaluation?+
A comprehensive AAC evaluation looks at receptive and expressive language, motor access, sensory and visual needs, symbol understanding, and current communication strategies. We trial multiple systems, including low-tech picture boards and high-tech options such as Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, LAMP, and TD Snap, to find the best fit.
How long does an AAC evaluation take?+
Most AAC evaluations involve 2 to 3 visits: an intake and language evaluation, at least one device trial session, and a review meeting. The full process usually spans 2 to 4 weeks and includes a detailed written report with a specific device and vocabulary recommendation.
Does insurance cover AAC devices?+
Yes, many private insurance plans, Medicaid programs, and school districts can fund AAC devices when medical necessity is documented. We write reports designed to support funding requests and can guide you through the process.
Can we use an iPad instead of a dedicated device?+
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. iPad-based AAC apps can be excellent for many children and are often less expensive, but dedicated speech-generating devices are more durable, purpose-built, and more likely to be funded by insurance. The evaluation helps determine what is right for your child.
What apps or devices do you evaluate?+
We evaluate major AAC systems, including LAMP Words for Life, TouchChat with WordPower, Proloquo2Go, TD Snap, Snap Core First, PODD, and dedicated devices from leading AAC manufacturers. We are not affiliated with any manufacturer; recommendations are based on the child, not on sales.
How old does my child need to be for AAC?+
AAC can begin as early as 12 to 18 months. There is no age too young to give a child a reliable way to communicate. Toddlers who are minimally verbal may benefit from early AAC exposure.
Will my child understand how to use it?+
Learning AAC is like learning any language; it takes modeling, patience, and practice. We teach families and teams to use aided language input, meaning adults use the device while talking to the child, which supports respectful and consistent learning.
What is AAC training?+
AAC training is hands-on coaching for the adults who support the child, including parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, related-service providers, and grandparents. Training can be provided in person or through teletherapy and covers modeling, motivating vocabulary, troubleshooting, and integrating AAC into daily routines.
Do you train school teams?+
Yes. We provide on-site AAC training for classrooms, related-service teams, and professional development programs. Training can be tailored to the needs of an individual student, classroom, or school team.
How much modeling should we do?+
Children often need to see communication modeled many times before they use it independently. In coaching, we help families build small, consistent modeling routines into meals, play, and transitions rather than adding another difficult task to the day.
My child throws or ignores the device. What do we do?+
That can be a normal part of the learning process. It may mean the vocabulary, physical positioning, motivating activity, or adult response needs to change. AAC coaching helps identify the barrier and make the system more useful and engaging.
What is a 'robust' AAC system?+
A robust AAC system gives a user access to core vocabulary, such as go, more, want, and stop, as well as fringe vocabulary for specific people, objects, actions, and topics. The system stays organized consistently so the user can grow with it over time.
Do you support families with children who already have a device?+
Yes. This is a common reason families contact us. If a device is sitting unused or is only used for a few requests, we provide AAC coaching to improve modeling, expand vocabulary, and make the system useful across daily routines.
How do I get an AAC evaluation through my school district?+
In New York, an AAC evaluation may be requested through the CPSE or CSE process as an Assistive Technology evaluation. We can provide private AAC evaluations and may also support schools and districts through contracted services.
Do you provide bilingual AAC support?+
Yes. Many AAC systems support multilingual users. We can help configure systems for English, Spanish, or Haitian Creole and coach families on modeling communication across the languages used at home and school.
How long does it take for my child to use AAC independently?+
Every child is different. Some children begin combining symbols within weeks, while others need months of consistent modeling and support. Communication competence develops over time, and every meaningful step counts.
How do we get started?+
Start with a free 15-minute call. We will listen to what is happening, explain the evaluation process, and answer questions about funding, timelines, training, and expectations.
Parent Resources
Free tools we'll send when you book
- AAC readiness checklist for parents
- "What to expect from an AAC evaluation" guide
- Insurance funding letter template
- Core vocabulary modeling cheat-sheet
Let's take the first step, hand in hand.
Book a complimentary 15-minute call with a licensed speech-language pathologist. No pressure, no paperwork, just answers.