CAAT Clinic
Communication Access
& Assistive Technology

The Communication Access and Assistive Technology (CAAT) Clinic provides consultation, training and resources for individuals who have difficulty being understood using speech. Professionals working in the clinic will work collaboratively with clients, their families and other support professionals to identify areas of need to improve communication. We provide services to individuals of any age with a range of disabilities.

The CAAT Clinic offers:

  1. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Consultations

    Consultations are offered in-person at the WVU CED or virtually using video conferencing (Zoom). During consultations, the speech-language pathologist will review a history of the client’s communication, complete questionnaires and observe the client during a preferred activity or routine. By the end of the visit, the client and their caregivers will receive recommendations for next steps and resources to improve their access to communication with consideration of all barriers. Following the consultation, families will receive a summary report.
    • smartbox cards
    • tobi dynavoxx tablet

  2. Support Services

    • AAC communication partner training
    • AAC system and vocabulary technical assistance (troubleshooting)
    • Workshops, trainings and webinars (based on requested need)

What is AAC?

“Augment” means to add to someone’s speech and “alternative” refers to a modality other than speech. For approximately 4 million children and adults in the United States alone, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies, tools and technologies provide access to self-determination, learning and development, education, personal care, social engagement, and employment (Beukelman & Light, 2020).

There are two components to the definition of AAC:

  1. Any way a person communicates using additional tools and strategies outside of spoken words, and
  2. Having that message successfully understood by a communication partner.

There are two major types of AAC: unaided and aided. Unaided forms of AAC do not require equipment or technology such as vocalizations, approximations of speech, body movements or eye blinks. Unaided forms of AAC are also referred to as “no-tech” options. Aided AAC options include the use of low-technology, mid-technology and high-technology tools and systems. A communication board or picture exchange system are examples of low-tech AAC, while computer-based speech generating devices and tablets would represent high-tech AAC. Aided AAC systems have visual representations of vocabulary (i.e., words) such as physical objects, photographs of real objects, picture symbols or written words. Figure 1 demonstrates picture symbols that represent high-tech, mid-tech and low-tech AAC options.

High Tech: a mounted tablet on a wheelchair; Mid-Tech: a handheld communication device; Low-Tech: a singlur red button

Figure 1

Who Uses AAC?

There are no “typical” AAC users. Thus, users can represent all abilities, age groups, sexual orientations, genders, socioeconomic status and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some AAC user diagnoses include, but are not limited to:

Children & Adolescents:

  • Angelman’s syndrome
  • Apraxia of speech (AOS)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Developmental disabilities
  • Down syndrome
  • Fragile X syndrome
  • Rett syndrome
  • Specific Language Impairment (SLI)
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Adults:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/Motor Neuron Disease
  • Aphasia (stroke patients)
  • Dementia
  • Disabilities from childhood/adolescence transitioning to adulthood
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Meet Our Team

Resources

References

  1. Beukelman DR, Light JC. Augmentative & Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co; 2020.
  2. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Accessed December 4, 2023. https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/aac/#about.
  3. Burkhart LJ. What is AAC? ISAAC. Accessed December 7, 2023. https://isaac-online.org/english/what-is-aac/.