Leeds Communication Aid Service

What is AAC?

AAC stands for “Augmentative and Alternative Communication” and is a range of strategies and tools to help people who struggle with speech. AAC covers a range of strategies. Some AAC involves no technology or paper and some AAC involves technology which can range from ‘low’ or ‘light’ technology to ‘high tech’ voice output communication aids (VOCAs), electronic devices that produce a computer-generated voice based on what the user enters.

Who are we?

We are a team of specialist speech and language therapists (SLTs) and SLT technical instructors (TIs) working for Leeds Communication Aids Service (CAS). We provide high tech AAC devices (VOCAs) for children, young people, adults and adults with learning difficulties. In this role, we can:

• carry out assessments with you or your child to establish what might be appropriate to support and improve the person’s communication
• provide communication aids
• support and maintain the equipment provided
• offer advice, support and training to professionals and others who are supporting those with the potential to use this equipment.

What happens in your first appointment?

The first appointment will be in the environment that best suits you such as in your home, school, nursery, care home or hospital ward.

This will be discussed with you when booking the first appointment.

What happens during an assessment?

We work with you or your child and the people who know you or your child to set your goals.

Each of our visits could last 1 to 2 hours and we may visit you on more than one occasion to get a detailed picture of your needs and to identify the best and most appropriate equipment for you or your child. We may lend you some equipment to try between visits.

This assessment may conclude that you or your child requires a certain piece of equipment or may conclude that low-technology approaches would be more suitable.

Equipment provided by CAS is on a long-term loan for as long as the equipment is useful. There are no direct costs to the person receiving the service.

We then provide support, advice and training to the you or your child and your main communication partners such as school staff, carers, other family members and day centre staff to help you or your child use the communication aid.

Who do we work alongside?

In our role as an SLT, we work alongside a wide range of professionals, and this often includes the professionals that are working with you/your child. This means that we can work alongside physiotherapists, occupational therapists, teachers, care home staff, other SLTs and GPs.

How can you help?

There are a few ways in which you could help us as SLT’s to help you in the best way we can. This can be by filling in as much of the referral form as possible and being as clear as you can on this form, if applicable.

Inform us of any changes (such as changes in your address, GP practice, phone numbers or changes to your speech and language) and by attending the appointments that have been arranged for you or cancelling appointments in advance where possible.