AAC Devices for Home Use

Start by bringing up your concerns during a visit with your child’s pediatrician. Explain why you think your child may benefit from an AAC device—for example, they have limited speech, rely heavily on gestures or sounds, or seem frustrated when trying to communicate.

Your pediatrician can:

• Rule out any underlying medical conditions
• Refer your child to a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for an AAC evaluation
• Provide documentation or a prescription, which may be required by insurance later on

This is a critical step in the process. An AAC device is not “one size fits all.” A skilled SLP—especially one with experience in AAC—will evaluate your child’s communication strengths and needs to recommend the right tools and strategies.

The SLP may:

• Observe how your child currently communicates
• Try out different devices or systems (this is called a “feature-matching” process)
• Consider your child’s motor skills, vision, attention span, and cognitive abilities
• Work with your family to choose a system that will grow with your child

The evaluation may be done at a clinic or by an SLP in private practice. In some cases, insurance requires the evaluation to be done by an SLP who is licensed and enrolled as a provider.

After the evaluation, the SLP might recommend a trial period with a specific AAC device. During this time, your child gets to use the device to see if it’s a good fit. The SLP will collect data to document your child’s progress and ability to use the system effectively.

This step can also strengthen the funding request by showing that the device meets your child’s communication needs.

Once the SLP has identified an appropriate AAC device, the next step is to submit a request for funding to your health insurance provider. This typically involves:

• A detailed report from the SLP explaining the evaluation results and why the specific device is medically necessary
• A letter of medical necessity from your child’s physician or pediatrician
• A quote from an approved AAC device vendor or durable medical equipment (DME) provider

Your SLP and the device vendor often work together to coordinate this process and ensure all documentation is complete

Once approved, the vendor will ship the device to you, and the SLP will begin implementation and training. This is just as important as the device itself. Children need support to learn how to use AAC to communicate effectively in everyday life.

The SLP can help your child:

• Learn the vocabulary and layout of the system
• Practice using AAC at home, school, and in the community
• Develop language skills over time using the AAC system

• Keep records of all evaluations, reports, and communication with your insurance company.
• Ask questions throughout the process—your child’s SLP and pediatrician are there to support you.
• Don’t give up if insurance denies the request at first—many families appeal and succeed with the help of the medical team.

AAC can be life-changing—but only if the right system is chosen and properly supported. A skilled SLP is trained to match your child with the most effective tools and strategies, and to guide your family through every step. With their help, you’re not just getting a device, you’re opening the door to communication, connection, and confidence.