Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. We all use AAC when we make facial expressions or gestures, use symbols or pictures, or write.
The AAC Team provides consultative support for students who are non-speaking or have minimal spoken communication. Ideally, all students who cannot meet their face-to-face communication needs through speech alone should have a functional augmentative communication system. We work with school based staff to create and adapt AAC resources for specific students. We may also provide training and modelling to teaching staff and parents to be able to functionally use AAC supports with students. Our AC Team also completes assessments to access SEA funded communication devices.
The AAC Team also maintains and develops AAC resources which are loaned out through an augmentative resource lending library. We can also support staff in choosing and acquiring appropriate SEA equipment for students requiring AAC resources.
For a handout about the AAC Team Tiered supports click here
Please contact your school OCDSB speech language pathologist (SLP) to refer a student to the AAC Team.
OCDSB SLPs:
Please only refer students for schools that are currently on your SLP caseload.
If you are not sure if the referral is appropriate, please contact:
Brenda Oleszko, Madeleine Graham or Shari Eisen
Required documents and information to include with referral:
complete parental permission form.
up-to-date SLP/communication assessment report or observations
up-to-date reports from Clinic for Augmentative Communication, CHEO, or any other AAC clinic (if available)
Tier 1 and 2 AAC interventions implemented (e.g., consultation with classroom staff, trial with visuals, use of AAC library resources, trial with communication device or iPad, use of core boards, etc)
referrals that are specific for a SEA AAC device should have details about trials with a communication device (i.e., Go Talk Now app).
REFERRAL FORM DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
Click on the OCDSB Augmentative Alternative Communication referral link .
When prompted, click on 'Make a Copy'.
Please email PDF of this completed form (do not use 'share" for the file or folder) to sea.aac@ocdsb.ca with the subject “SLP referral”
Once we have received the referral form, relevant SLP reports and confirmation that you have obtained informed consent on IOL, we will contact you to discuss our involvement.
NOTE: If you think a student would be a candidate for a high tech speech generating device, we recommend that parents contact the Clinic for Augmentative Communication (CAC) in addition to a referral to our AAC Team. Please see the CHEO CAC website for more information