Pediatric Therapy Program
The Augmentative Communication and Assistive Learning Clinic is one of only two clinics in the state that provide a multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment program for children and adolescents with developmental and acquired disorders that affect expressive communication, reading, and writing. The target population includes individuals with motor impairments, motor speech disorders, receptive/expressive language disorders, or congenital defects who have:
• deficits in the communication of basic needs
• decreased communication skills relative to cognitive ability
• inability to fully participate in educational, community, and therapy settings.
The initial evaluation is two part; a comprehensive functional assessment followed by recommendations for techniques or devices by the clinic team which includes professionals in speech pathology, developmental pediatrics, psychology, social work, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. A variety of factors are assessed including:
• abilities and preferences of the individual
• vision and hearing status
• methods of access
• seating/positioning
• family systems
• community support.
An individual prescription is then developed, communicated to the individual and his/her support system, and equipment is ordered, sometimes after a period of demonstration and trial use at home if indicated. Clinic staff continues to serve a consulting and/or training role once the equipment is obtained. The team members have many years of experience in the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with communication disorders. In addition, the team is a state recognized augmentative communication clinic site for children birth to twenty one years of age.
Augmentative Communication refers to techniques and devices that may be used in place of verbal language if non-verbal, as part of a total communication approach if minimally verbal, or as a comprehension aid. Examples include gesture systems, picture symbols, object exchange, programmable switches, voice output devices, dynamic display, and computer-based systems.
Assistive Learning refers to techniques and devices that may be uses as a supplement in educational settings and include adapted toys, word processing, and computer-based systems with adapted peripherals and specialized software.
For more information or to make an appointment, please call Outpatient Rehabilitation Services of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center at (336) 716-8841 or 1-800-828-2001.