Home » AAC Communication Support
AAC communication support provided by a speech pathologist in Sydney

Innerlink Therapy provides AAC assessment and communication support services in Sydney for children, teenagers and adults who require additional ways to express themselves. Our Speech Pathologists support individuals and their communication partners to select, trial and use AAC systems that promote independence, participation and meaningful communication.

Helping every person communicate, connect and be understood

Communication is a basic human right.

Some people communicate through speech. Others may use gestures, facial expressions, Key Word Sign, pictures, communication books, written words, texting, speech-generating devices or communication applications. These forms of communication are known as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

AAC can support children, teenagers and adults who find it difficult to communicate through speech alone. It may be used for a short time or throughout a person’s life.

Contact Innerlink Therapy to discuss an AAC assessment.

Contact Innerlink Therapy to discuss an AAC assessment

What is AAC?

AAC includes all the ways a person can communicate in addition to, or instead of, speech.

  • gestures and facial expressions
  • Key Word Sign
  • pictures and symbols
  • communication boards
  • communication books
  • written words
  • tablet-based communication apps
  • dedicated speech-generating devices

AAC does not stop a person from developing speech. It gives them another way to communicate while supporting connection, participation and independence.

Who may benefit from AAC?

AAC may help a person who:

  • has difficulty expressing their needs, choices or ideas
  • uses only a small number of spoken words
  • is difficult for others to understand
  • relies on gestures, behaviour or familiar adults to communicate
  • becomes frustrated when they cannot get their message across
  • needs support to take part in learning, relationships or daily activities
  • has a condition that affects speech now or may affect it in the future

A person does not need to show certain skills before they can explore AAC. Assessment helps us understand what communication support may work best for them.

Communication is more than requesting

AAC helps a person communicate for many different reasons. This may include:

  • asking for something
  • saying no or stopping an activity
  • making choices
  • sharing an opinion
  • asking questions
  • telling a story
  • expressing feelings
  • making jokes
  • joining a conversation
  • building relationships
  • speaking up for themselves

We support meaningful communication in real situations.

Our speech pathologists provide individualised AAC support for children, teenagers and adults.

We consider the whole person, including their:

  • communication strengths
  • understanding and use of language
  • interests and preferred activities
  • movement and physical access
  • vision and hearing
  • sensory preferences
  • daily routines
  • communication partners
  • home, school, work and community environments

There is no single AAC system that suits everyone. The right system should match the person’s communication needs, abilities, preferences and daily life. A person may use multiple types of AAC, such as a speech-generating device, Key Word Sign and body language. All communication is valid.

Our AAC Assessment and Trial Process

1. Understanding the person

We begin by speaking with the person, their family and other important communication partners.

We may explore how the person currently communicates, what they understand, what they are trying to express, communication challenges, preferred activities and interests, communication across different settings, family priorities and future goals.

2. Assessing current communication skills

Assessment may include observations, interviews with parents and educators, informal activities, selected assessment tools and consultation with other professionals involved.

We look at more than speech. We consider the person’s communication forms, reasons for communicating, language, play, participation and relationships.

3. Matching the features

We identify the features an AAC system may need to match the person, such as language system, symbol or word layout, number of words available, symbol type, screen and grid/button size, access method, voice options, hardware portability, durability and warranty.

Access methods may include touch access, mouse, scanning, head tracking or eye tracking. Voice options may include different voices and Australian accents.

This process is called feature matching. It helps us compare AAC options based on the person rather than choosing a device and language system first.

4. Setting meaningful goal

Goals are developed with the person and their support network.

Goals may focus on expressing needs and choices, joining activities, having conversations, building language, telling jokes, increasing independence and using AAC across different settings.

5. Trialling AAC options

Under the guidance of a speech pathologist, the person may trial one or more AAC systems.

Trials help us understand how easily the person can access the system, whether the vocabulary supports their communication needs, how the system works across daily routines and environments, what training or changes may be needed, and what the person and family prefer.

6. Post trial Evaluation

The post-trial evaluation includes collecting all the data gathered from the trial periods to decide on which hardware and software is most fitting for the person in collaboration with the person and their communication partners.

7. AT application

Based on funding options, the speech pathologist completes an appropriate application with detailed evidence of the chosen AAC system.

Supporting Families and Communication Partners

An AAC system is most useful when the people around the AAC user know how to support its use and uptake.

We may provide training and coaching for:

  • parents and carers
  • siblings
  • teachers and educators
  • support workers
  • employers and community staff
  • other health professionals

Training may include how to:

  • model words on the AAC system
  • notice and respond to communication attempts
  • provide enough time to respond
  • keep the AAC available
  • support communication without pressure
  • use AAC during everyday activities
  • build communication beyond requesting

People learn communication through repeated experiences with supportive partners; this is the same for AAC communicators. We focus on connection, not perfection.

AAC in Everyday Life

AAC support should fit into the person’s real life. We may help families and teams use AAC during:

  • meals
  • play
  • getting dressed
  • school and early learning activities
  • shopping
  • community outings
  • work
  • appointments
  • social activities
  • conversations about past and future events

We can provide services at our clinic, through telehealth, at home, in schools and early learning settings, and within community environments where suitable.

NDIS Assistive Technology Support

AAC may be funded through different parts of an NDIS plan, depending on the type and cost of the system.

The process may involve:

  • checking available assistive technology funding
  • completing an AAC assessment and trial
  • speaking with the Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator
  • preparing an assistive technology report or letter of support
  • supporting a replacement support request
  • providing evidence for a plan variation where required

Funding decisions are made by the NDIA. Innerlink Therapy cannot guarantee that funding will be approved, but we can provide clinical evidence and practical recommendations based on the assessment and trial.

Our Approach

  • Person-centred: We listen to the person and respect how they communicate.
  • Strengths-based: We build on existing skills, interests and relationships.
  • Neuroaffirming: We support communication differences without trying to make a person appear less neurodivergent.
  • Practical: We focus on communication that matters in everyday life.
  • Collaborative: We work with families, educators, support workers and other professionals to encourage AAC uptake and use.
  • Future-focused: We consider current needs while planning for future communication, participation and independence.

Innerlink Therapy has provided speech pathology and occupational therapy services since 2011.

  • experienced speech pathologists
  • multidisciplinary input where needed
  • structured assessment and trial processes
  • communication partner training
  • support across children and adults
  • practical NDIS assistive technology knowledge
  • clinic, community and telehealth service options
  • speech pathologist access ongoing professional development in AAC systems and access methods

Our focus is not only on choosing a communication system. We help the person and their communication partners use AAC in ways that support identity, relationships, choice and everyday participation.

If you or your child is having difficulty communicating through speech alone, an AAC assessment can help identify communication options that support participation, independence and meaningful connection.

Contact Innerlink Therapy to discuss AAC assessment and communication support in Sydney.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AAC stop speech from developing?

No. AAC provides another way to communicate. It can be used alongside speech, sounds, gestures and facial expressions.

Does a person need certain skills before trying AAC?

No. A person does not need to prove that they are ready. Assessment helps identify suitable communication options and the support they may need.

Is AAC only for children?

No. AAC can support people of all ages.

How do I know if my child needs AAC support?

A child may benefit from AAC support if they have difficulty communicating their needs, choices, thoughts or feelings using speech alone. AAC assessment can help identify communication options that match the person’s strengths, abilities and everyday communication goals.

Does AAC always involve an electronic device?

No. AAC may include signs, pictures, written words, communication boards, books, apps or dedicated devices.

Will one assessment tell us which device to buy?

Not always. A trial may be required to compare systems and understand how they work for the person across everyday environments.

Can you help with NDIS funding reports?

Where clinically appropriate, our speech pathologists can prepare supporting evidence following an assessment and trial. Funding approval remains the responsibility of the NDIA.