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Overview
- Overview
- Evaluation
- Recommendation
- Funding
- Set up
- Support
AAC journey for aphasia
Many professionals working with people with aphasia aren’t aware of the benefits of high-tech AAC, even though studies show that it can dramatically improve communication skills and overall quality of life. TD is here to support prescribing clinicians, including speech therapists and other medical professionals, who are interested in AAC for their clients with aphasia. We offer expertise and resources to guide you every step of the way. Let’s start by looking at each AAC journey stage:
Evaluation
During an initial evaluation, the prescribing clinician will gather detailed information about their client’s communication abilities and needs. This evaluation will be used as a basis for recommending AAC.
Recommendation
During this stage, the prescribing clinician will document their client’s necessity for AAC and determine the right solution to match their needs and goals. This will be used as a basis to write a prescription for an AAC device.
Funding
During the funding stage, the prescribing clinician submits the necessary documentation so that their client can secure financial coverage for the AAC device. This will include communicating with funding and insurance sources and assisting with the application process. It may also involve arranging device trials.
Set up
Once their client has received the funded device, it may be customized based on their communication goals and preferences. This will happen together with the client and their care circle to ensure they get the most out of their AAC device.
Support
During this last stage, the clinician who helped secure funding for the AAC device often assists their client with ongoing support. They also usually help monitor and adapt the device to keep up with their client’s evolving needs.
Evaluation resources
As a speech therapist assessing autistic people for assistive communication, you will first gather detailed information about their abilities and needs. We’ve curated the following free resources to help you succeed during the evaluation stage of the AAC journey.
Communicating with aphasia
This guide is designed to help speech therapists introduce AAC to people with aphasia and their care circles. It reviews the basics of our comprehensive communication solution, including AAC apps, devices & accessories, funding assistance, personalization options and ongoing support.
AAC myth poster
You may have heard that AAC can’t support the unique needs of people with aphasia, or that it’s too complicated, difficult, and impersonal. You may even have heard that AAC will prevent a person with aphasia from potential speech recovery. We’ve debunked some common myths about AAC for people with aphasia in a printable poster. You can use it to educate others with facts and evidence. Simply download and print this free resource to display in your clinic, school or hospital.
Learning Hub
The Learning Hub offers self-guided training opportunities, created by Tobii Dynavox professionals, available on demand. Create a free account and log in to access a library of online courses, recorded webinars, videos, quick guides, and other valuable resources. Once logged in, you can search the course catalog for the following resources, which are just some of the options available to help you in evaluating AAC solutions for your patients with aphasia:
- Who Needs AAC Assessment (2A201)
- A New Way of Communicating: AAC Assessment for Adults with Language Loss (4A009.4)
- Understanding Aphasia (1B008)
- AAC’s Role in Aphasia Therapy – Supporting Communication and Recovery (4A022.2)
Recommendation resources
Once the evaluation stage is complete, you’ll be ready to start recommending assistive communication to match your clients’ needs and goals. At this stage, it’s possible to help your clients find solutions to express themselves their way – anywhere, anytime with low-tech (print-based) or high-tech AAC. Here are some resources and information to get started with recommending AAC solutions for aphasia:
Low-tech AAC solutions for aphasia
Tobii Dynavox offers the following low-tech resources to support people with aphasia:
PCS (Picture Communication Symbols)
A library of symbol-based visuals to help people with communication disabilities express themselves.
Printable AAC
A set of printable, low-tech AAC communication boards and books plus other resources to foster communication, language and literacy skills.
High-tech AAC solutions for aphasia
Tobii Dynavox makes the following purpose-built assistive communication solutions to support people with aphasia:
TD Navio
A purpose-built touch screen, iOS-based speech generating device, pre-loaded with powerful AAC apps.
TD Snap
A symbol-supported AAC app offering a choice of solutions, including Core First, Motor Plan, PODD and Text page sets.
The following page sets within TD Snap software are designed for people with conditions like aphasia:
TD Snap Aphasia
A page set to help adults with aphasia communicate while also supporting language recovery, by Tobii Dynavox.
TD Snap Text
A page set for those who are literate or transitioning from symbol supports to literacy, by Tobii Dynavox.
TD Snap Express
A symbol-supported page set to help people express themselves using topic-related phrases and words.
Mounts, keyguards & other accessories
A full assistive communication solution for those with aphasia includes keyguards to support ease of navigation and device mounts for wheelchairs, desks and floors. Tobii Dynavox offers a collection of keyguards and mounts, as well as other accessories, to ensure your voice is heard wherever you go.
Voice customization
Custom voice options are a standard component of Tobii Dynavox AAC solutions. A variety of options, from voice banking to synthetic voices, are available to people with conditions like aphasia. These solutions allow a person to continue communicating with a voice that reflects their identity.
Learning Hub
The Learning Hub offers self-guided training opportunities, created by Tobii Dynavox professionals, available on demand. Create a free account and log in to access a library of online courses, recorded webinars, videos, quick guides, and other valuable resources. Once logged in, you can search the course catalog for the following resources, which are just some of the options available to help you learn more about the AAC journey for aphasia:
- Aphasia Getting Started Resources (1B009)
- Creating a Shared Space for Communication with TD Snap Aphasia (4A022.1)
- TD Snap Aphasia Essentials (6B101)
- TD Snap Aphasia Resources Library (6B102)
- Communication Partner Training for AAC and Aphasia (4A021)
Funding resources
Now that you have recommended an AAC solution for your client, it’s time to secure funding to help them cover device costs. This will involve navigating a complex application process that takes time and perseverance. We’ve worked hard to help simplify the process as much as possible. This includes guidance from an in-house team of funding specialists and a dedicated e-funding website to help guide you every step of the way:
Funding consultants
A dedicated, experienced, in-house funding team that acts as a guide and liaison with hundreds of insurance companies. This helps clinicians and their clients secure funding to help cover device costs.
Funding website
A website with step-by-step instructions to help clinicians navigate and apply for financial coverage of a communication device. This how-to website covers both the offline and e-funding process.
Set up resources
After securing funding for our eye gaze speech generating devices, we offer everything you need to know about getting set up and using them. We’ve made it easy to get started with a device, and its pre-loaded software TD Snap. We offer a getting started guide, ongoing learning resources and related low-tech solutions to complement TD Snap, including a communication board. If you get stuck, tech support is available every day. And if something goes wrong, there’s a comprehensive warranty.
Support resources
Now that you and your clients are on their way with assistive communication, the last stage may very well be the most important one: ensuring ongoing success. You’ve helped your clients come this far, and they will continue to look to you for continued support. We are always here to help guide you with the following resources:
Learning resources
Boost your knowledge of our products, learn implementation strategies, stay up-to-date on best practices and more with live and on-demand learning.
Support articles
Search our database of frequently asked questions for answers about many of our products and services.
Customer support
Contact our dedicated support team and find links to common topics such as warranties, repairs and funding.
Reliable warranty
Get industry-leading support through a 5-year warranty, available with all Tobii Dynavox devices.
Resource center
Visit our online Resource Center to discover and download print AAC supports, training materials, and informative resources.
Our role is to help you succeed
Don’t forget that you can always reach out to a Tobii Dynavox Solutions Consultant near you for guidance. We’re here to help you and your clients succeed on this AAC journey.