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Young girl with physical disabilities seated in a Rifton Activity Chair with a tray at the Communication Horizons Speech Therapy clinic. An Accent 1400 AAC device with eye-tracking is positioned on the table in front of her alongside various toys. She is looking intently at the AAC screen while her speech therapist sits beside her, pointing to the device.

​Speech Therapy and AAC Consultation & Training

Services are available at our Torrance office, in home, in the community, in schools, and virtually.  Teletherapy is available throughout California.  Virtual consultation and training services are available anywhere.

We specialize in working with individuals from 18-months through adult with complex neurological, genetic, and/or developmental disorders including, but not limited to:

  • Cerebral Palsy

  • Autism

  • Rett Syndrome

  • CDKL5

  • CHARGE Syndrome

  • Angelman Syndrome

  • Cri du Chat Syndrome

  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

  • Down Syndrome

  • Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome

  • SYNGAP1 Disorder

  • Prader-Willi Syndrome

  • Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)

  • Holoprosencephaly

  • Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

  • Mitochondrial disorders

AAC

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) evaluations

Middle school-aged girl smiling and reaching toward an AAC device on a table at a speech therapy clinic. Multiple AAC devices are visible on the table, with her speech therapist sitting beside her.

The goal of an AAC evaluation is to find the best tools to help individuals with limited speech communicate freely. With no one-size-fits-all solution, we guide families through the many options to identify the right system for both current and future needs—and support them in securing full funding through insurance, Medi-Cal, and/or other public programs.

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Here are the typical general steps of an AAC evaluation:

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1. Evaluate which AAC device features are needed by trying and exploring different AAC programs over an average of 3 to 5 sessions utilizing the AAC programs during activities that are personally motivating to each individual.

 

2. Get a trial device to borrow for up to 30 days to use at home, and in the community, as well as during weekly follow-up appointments.

 

3. Decide which AAC device is the best fit for the individual’s current and future needs, and then work with the family and team to determine the best avenue to get the needed equipment funded.  In many cases we assist families in getting equipment funded in full by private medical insurance, and/or Medi-Cal or Medicare.

AAC

Language Therapy

Once an individual has an AAC system, it does not mean that they will suddenly be able to say anything they want to say.  Through AAC language therapy we work with our clients every step of the way on the long-term journey of learning to say exactly what THEY want to say.

 

Our approach is flexible and client-led, weaving learning of language, communication, and literacy skills into activities that our clients love.  Families are actively involved through ongoing collaboration and training during sessions.

AAC

Alternative Access Method Consultation

Toddler boy with significant physical disabilities sitting in a wheelchair, using an eye-tracking AAC device on a tablet

We are experts in helping individuals with complex physical disabilities find the most efficient method to control technology including an AAC system.  If an individual has complex physical disabilities and you are struggling to figure out how to get them to control an AAC system, we will work together to try out different technology and positioning to find an optimal solution.

 

We are equipped to help our clients try a range of equipment including:​

 

  • Various eye gaze systems

  • Different types of switches

  • Head tracking technology

  • Joystick

  • Different types of keyguards

  • 3D printing capability to construct custom adaptations

Language

therapy

Smiling two-year-old girl sitting in an egg-shaped chair at the Communication Horizons speech therapy clinic. Her speech therapist sits on the floor beside her, holding an iPad with an AAC app toward her lap.

We apply a client-led approach to our language therapy for toddlers through young adults, incorporating strategies to support natural language acquisition within whichever activities our clients enjoy most.

Computer Access

& Environmental Controls Consultation

We can help with brainstorming and setting up ways to integrate an AAC device with other technology to meet an individual’s goals and enhance their independence.  This may include:

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  • Setting up integrated access to different online resources such as books or websites via eye gaze, switches, or another access tool

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  • Setting up ways to send emails, make video calls, play music, control the television, or send text messages integrated with an AAC device

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  • Integration of AAC device with different academic apps and programs to support literacy development and access to the school curriculum

Adult man with cerebral palsy sitting in a power wheelchair, smiling at the camera. An AAC device with a head-tracking camera

Consultation and Training

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