As Fort Myers speech therapists, teaching kids to communicate as effectively as possible is always are top goal. How we approach that task varies depending on the unique needs, interests, and abilities of each child.

Increasingly, we’re using AAC as a means to teach and expand meaningful speech & language skills for our patients. AAC stands for augmentative & alternative communication. “Augmentative” technologies can be used to augment or add to one’s speech and language skills. “Alternative” technologies can be used in place of speech and language.

These can be unaided (gestures, facial expressions, etc.), or aided modes (communication boards, computers, handheld devices, tablets, or synthetically-produced speech). Our Fort Myers speech therapists use both, though generally when we’re recommending AAC for our pediatric patients, we’re referring to aided forms of it.

Why AAC Use is Expanding

Part of the reason more and more Fort Myers speech therapists offering AAC is that advancing technology has made these tools both more effective and more widely accessible to pediatric patients and their families.

Beyond that, there are reams of research backing up the effectiveness of these tools when used with kids who have speech and language disorders, delays, and deficits.

Some parents express concerns that once we introduce AAC – even low-tech AAC solutions – their child may develop an overreliance on these tools.

On the contrary, AAC actually supports verbal speech and language development. Some people do use AAC their whole life. However, these are almost always individuals with severe, complex speech and language difficulties (approximately 1.3% of the U.S. population).

Many more kids may only need AAC for a few months or years, and then ultimately rely on it less and less. Studies show that AAC can reduce frustration, set the foundation for improved communication skills, and help facilitate faster progress with reading and literacy. They are a means to bridge the communication gap and help kids unlock their potential.

Early intervention with Fort Myers speech therapists who can work with your child 1:1, recommend the right AAC device for their unique needs, and teach them and you how use it most effectively can go a long way toward improving both short- and long-term clinical outcomes.

Fort Myers Speech Therapists on Key Strategies for Effective AAC Use

Augmentative and alternative communication devices can be empowering tools for children with communication difficulties, allowing them to express themselves, engage with others, and participate more fully in daily activities.

Here’s how we implement effective use of AAC devices for our young patients:

Speech delays and disorders are the main reason most kids are referred to early intervention therapies (including speech, occupational, ABA & physical therapy by their doctors. But what does that mean? What actually qualifies a child for speech therapy in Fort Myers?

Our FOCUS speech therapy team can shed some insight. We know there can be confusion because there is clear, bright line rule for when early intervention speech therapy is always recommended and when it isn’t. Of course, it’s standard for children with certain medical conditions (Down Syndrome, autism, apraxia of speech, hearing loss, etc.). But sometimes, determinations can be a bit subjective, so it might come down to a persistent parent – something we really encourage because if there is a bigger underlying issue, earlier treatment is associated with better outcomes.

Our early intervention speech therapy in Fort Myers plays a crucial role in supporting communication and development for children whose speech and language skills are not aligning with peers of their same age.

It does no harm to request a doctor referral for an evaluation by a speech therapist. We can conduct a thorough evaluation and give you a detailed professional opinion about whether speech-language intervention would benefit your child.

Keep in mind it can take months from the time you get the referral until your child can actually start receiving speech therapy in Fort Myers. When you get the balling rolling right away, you minimize the amount of time the issue may be snowballing – giving them a greater advantage in catching up to where they need to be communication-wise.

Factors That May Qualify a Child for Speech Therapy

Some of the primary factors that qualify a child for speech therapy in Fort Myers:

Speech & language delays. This is the biggest red flag that speech therapy may be medically necessary. Parents should trust their instincts if they’re concerned their child may be lagging in this area. Pay attention to how they’re producing speech sounds, if they’re using age-appropriate vocabulary and grammar, whether they understand and follow instructions, and if they’re engaging in conversations.

Articulation disorders. This involves trouble with production of speech sounds. Kids with articulation disorders will often substitute, distort, or omit speech sounds they find tricky – and it can make them tough to understand. Whether a child needs speech therapy to correct it will depend on its severity and the extent of its impact to their ability to communicate.

Our Fort Myers ABA therapy is called “center-based,” meaning it’s provided in-clinic. Here, we offer some insight into why we believe it’s the most effective approach.

Have more questions? Contact us for an initial consultation!