I took my child’s voice away today.

I packed it up, and sent it off in the mail.

Why would I do that? Because it’s part of the long process of acquiring an AAC device.

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Ten months ago, J’s doctor suggested that he be assessed for an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. He had just turned four years old, and didn’t have any functional words.

We were really excited! J had been successful using a picture binder for quite a while, but we knew a talking device would help him communicate even better.

In order to decide which device and program was right for him, J needed an assessment. So the doctor ordered one through our area’s children’s hospital.

Two months later, J had the assessment. I was worried how he would do during the tests. Motor planning can be tricky, especially in a new environment.

But he rocked it!!! As it turns out, every time he took my phone to watch YouTube, or navigated Netflix to watch his favorite show (Law and Order), he was preparing himself to use an AAC Device.

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I was pleased to hear the therapists recommend Proloquo2Go (P2G) for J. I didn’t know much about all the different programs and apps, but I remembered hearing a teacher say that the school system used that one often.

The therapists handed me some paperwork, and told me that we would receive Julian’s rental device in the mail in about a month.

He would then need to complete a 3 month trial which included mandatory training from a speech therapist. That sounded sensible to me. I didn’t know how to use the program, so training would certainly be helpful.

FOUR MONTHS LATER…

It took four months of paperwork, prior authorizations, and out-of-network approvals for J to receive his rental.

Yes… Just to get the rental.

That’s four months of waisted time in addition to the two months we wasted for his assessment. (That’s half a year so far, but who’s counting?)

When we received the AAC device, the company who supplied it gave us another surprise… We would have to return J’s device after the trial was finished and wait for insurance to approve a permanent one.

WAIT… WHAT???

I immediately put that on the back burner. We had already invested so much time into this process, I felt like I could cross that bridge when I came to it. So we started his trial.

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P2G was a game changer! Within two weeks, J could navigate the most advanced setting on Proloquo2Go. He could find his preferred foods and tell us what he wanted.

Within one month, he was arguing with me about where he wanted to go! And yes, he found the McDonald’s button very quickly. (Thanks for that, P2G.)

After two months, he was identifying colors and shapes. He was now able to participate in academic tasks closer to his own age level.

Can you imagine? In only a few short months, J’s whole world opened up. And we learned so much about him. I’ve heard many people say, “Presume competence.” Now I know what they meant. Julian has opinions, reasoning skills, and knowledge that he could never express until now!

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But our time with the device was coming to and end. His trial was over, and it was time to send it back. Of course I asked to keep it until his permanent talker came in. But I was denied by several different people at the company. (The words “unethical practices” came out of my mouth several times.)

We are now 10 months into the process of getting J his AAC device. And I don’t know how long it will take to get approval. Luckily his school is letting him bring their device home with him.

But what if they didn’t? What if we weren’t so fortunate? What about all those other children who are being denied because AAC devices aren’t “medically necessary?”


The bigger picture – What’s the rush?

Most doctors won’t even suggest an assessment for an AAC device until a child is four years old. By that age, the child’s hearing has been checked, speech therapy has been unsuccessful multiple times, and the child is beyond frustrated.

The child has likely already been written off by everyone who cares for or teaches him. He may be treated as infantile or unintelligent, simply because he doesn’t communicate like the rest of us.

By that, I mean his educational goals may already be altered, or he is given less responsibilities because he doesn’t have the tools to display competence or understanding.

By four years old, this child’s frustrations have probably manifested into “maladaptive behaviors.” And why wouldn’t he act out? He has something to say and nobody can understand him!

So, that’s the rush. When a child is four years old, with limited or no speech, we should treat that as an urgent need.

We are living in a time of great technological advancement. Nonspeaking children and adults can now communicate with the simple press of a button – But only if they can gain access to the device.

When elementary schools are passing out Chrome Books like candy, our disabled children should not have to spend 6 months or more waiting for equipment that is necessary for them to perform the basic human right of communication.


For parents starting to think about AAC Devices:

If I could get a do-over, I would call around to different service providers about their process for acquiring an AAC device. There are universities that run AAC clinics. There are also grants out there that help parents acquire the devices.

If your child has Medicaid, you may be able to shorten the approval process by using EPSDT. Each state has their own procedures. Your child will probably still have to complete an assessment, which is sensible. But through EPSDT, the the Medicaid insurance company may supply your device without you having to jump through so many hoops.

Our device (which is an IPad with a fancy case and a bluetooth speaker) is listed for $7000 on the seller’s website (which is another issue altogether).  That price tag is one of the reasons AAC devices is so inaccessible.


Info about P2G for those who are interested:

Proloquo2Go is an app for an IPad, or another Apple device. It normally costs $300, but it goes on sale a couple times per year. The company has training and videos on their website, as well as Facebook groups to help parents get started. Their support team is ridiculously helpful.


Not an Autism Mom
Not an Autism Mom

I am a daughter, sister, wife, friend, and MOM. I write about parenting, autism, prematurity, and whatever else comes through these fingertips. Enjoy!

    9 replies to "AAC Devices Need To Be More Accessible"

    • Anonymous

      It’s unconscionable to deny a child the chance to communicate. I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through but he is one lucky boy having you for a mother.

    • […] Source: AAC Devices Need To Be More Accessible – Not an Autism Mom […]

    • vincenza63

      Wonderful news! <3

    • […] To read more about our process of getting insurance to approve Julian’s device, click here. […]

    • Leslie

      I’m the caregiver of a wonderful little 3.5 yr old. We heard that $7,000 price tag too and were told that insurance would only pay 50% if he got approved. His Grandma had an iPad mini that she gave him, dad bought a downloadable copy of touch chat with word power (our app winner during testing with his slp), they bought a kid friendly case and we were off and running. Slp taught us how to navigate and therapists make adjustments as needed. All of this happened very quickly for under $1000. The price they are charging for these is nothing short of unethical.
      It was a total game changer for us too. PECS was like a miricle that brought a few words along with a huge reduction is frustration. Six months into the aac and we have full sentences verbally. He will go through the picture on a page and practice saying them. Newest sentence: “I want more cookies please”…oh yeah, baby boy, you can anything you want!

      Insurance companies are evil incarnate.

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    • […] for an AAC Assessment. This was a very lengthy process for us, but well worth the hassle. Click here to read more about our process getting approved for a  […]

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