• You will have a 2-hr time period scheduled with me for an in-person evaluation. We start by getting to know each other! This includes discussing your medical, developmental, and communication history. Then we complete formal or informal assessments for speech and language, cognition, etc. as appropriate.

• Next, we will start trying some AAC systems! We will look at several options to determine what may be the best fit based on your strengths, needs, and preferences.

• Finally, we complete the paperwork needed to send to the vendor (company that makes the device) for purchase of the device.

  • Sometimes your insurance provider will require a trial period after the initial evaluation. See the question below about “trials” for details.

Note: While you will work directly with us for the evaluation and any device trials, we do not give you your AAC device. We will happily guide you through the process and connect you with resources, but the process of actually getting your device occurs between you and your insurance provider/payer. I can also support you with finding alternative funding if needed.

In order to have the most thorough and comprehensive AAC evaluation, it is necessary to have some background information about you and your family. You will fill out some of our required intake paperwork. Some other information that would be helpful includes:

• Recent hearing or vision testing results

• A copy of a current or most recent Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

• A copy of a recent outpatient therapy report (such as a progress note or general speech and language evaluation)

• A copy of a report from behavioral therapy (e.g., ABA report)

• Any relevant medical documentation that may help determine an appropriate AAC system (such as a recent Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy report)

After the evaluation, it usually takes 2-6 months before you get your device. This is because an AAC evaluation requires multiple steps, including:

1. You complete an in-person AAC evaluation with us.

2. We provide you with paperwork from the AAC vendor (maker of the AAC system) for you to complete. We can complete this together or you can complete and return/submit later.

3. If needed, we will complete an AAC trial. This will be required by some insurances, but also may just be recommended by the therapist in order to determine what AAC system is the best. Trials typically last 4 weeks, but some insurances have longer requirements.

4. Once we are ready to request insurance to fund a device, you go to the doctor for a visit to discuss the need for AAC. We need this documentation in order to request coverage of the device through insurance.

5. The AAC company reviews the paperwork and submits it to your insurance.

6. We wait for insurance to approve or deny your device (on the off chance that we get a denial, we will work with you to appeal this decision or to pursue alternative funding).

Some insurances require a formal “trial” period before they will cover or fund the purchase of an AAC system or device. Find Your Voice AAC may also recommend a trial to make sure the recommended system continues to be successful across settings or environments. The goal of the trial is to gather more information about how the AAC system is used and come to a decision on if we want to pursue funding of that system or potentially trial a different system.

A trial will consist of getting a loaner device with the recommended program or system on it to try for about 4 weeks (some insurances require longer trials) and using it wherever you go with many different people to determine if this is the best fit.

However, not all insurances require trials. For instance, if you are already using an AAC device and are looking to update or replace it, a trial may not be needed.

Note: After you complete an evaluation and any trials with Find Your Voice, the process of actually getting your device occurs between you and your insurance provider/payer. Find Your Voice does not give you your AAC device. We will happily guide you through the process and connect you with resources, like finding alternative funding if needed.