Communication is more than just talking.
Our registered SLPs specialize in AAC assessment and implementation, helping children and adults find a communication system that fits their life, their goals, and their voice.
Who AAC Can Help
AAC supports communication across a wide range of diagnoses and ages. If you’re not sure whether it applies to your situation, a free consultation is the clearest first step.
For Children
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
AAC helps Autistic children express needs, emotions, and ideas on their own terms, alongside speech rather than instead of it.
Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome
Children with motor or cognitive challenges benefit from systems tailored to where they actually are, not where a chart says they should be.
Late Talkers and Language Delays
When a child is not yet speaking at expected milestones, AAC builds communication bridges while speech continues to develop.
Children Who Use Some Speech But Need More Support
Many AAC users already have some verbal language. AAC makes that communication more reliable and less effortful. It does not replace what is already there.
For Adults
ALS, Stroke, or Traumatic Brain Injury
Adults who have lost functional speech can use AAC to stay connected, communicate needs, and maintain independence.
Autistic Adults
For Autistic adults who find spoken communication effortful or unreliable, AAC offers a more consistent and less exhausting option.
Other Neurological Conditions
Parkinson’s disease, dysarthria, apraxia, and other conditions that affect speech can all be supported through an individualized AAC approach.
Anyone Whose Speech Is Not Meeting Their Needs
You do not need a specific diagnosis to explore AAC. If communication is a daily struggle, it is worth a conversation.
Our Philosophy
How Arbutus Speech Therapy Approaches AAC
AAC is not a last resort. Research is clear: using AAC does not stop speech from developing. In many cases, it actively supports it. Our SLPs take a strengths-based approach. We look at what a person can already do, what environments they communicate in most, and what they most want to express. From there, we find a system that fits.
We work with the full range of AAC, from low-tech picture boards and communication books to high-tech speech-generating devices (SGDs). There is no one-size-fits-all system, and that is the whole point.
Every client at Arbutus Speech Therapy is seen by a registered SLP, not an aide or assistant. You get the same clinician from assessment through implementation.
RASP
Funded
Funded AAC support for eligible Autistic children ages 0 to 6
Arbutus Speech Therapy is a Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) designated practice. Families of eligible Autistic children ages 0 to 6 may access funded sessions through the RASP program, including AAC assessment and support. Ask us about eligibility on your free consultation call.
Getting Started
Three Steps to Better Communication
Free Phone Consultation
We start with a free 15-minute call. You share what is happening; we listen and explain how our AAC program works. No obligation, no forms to fill out first.
AAC Assessment
Your SLP conducts a thorough assessment of communication strengths, needs, and the environments where your loved one communicates most. We look at everything, not only what someone cannot do yet.
Your Personalized System
We match you or your loved one with an AAC approach that fits, whether that is a high-tech speech-generating device, a picture communication board, or something in between. Then we teach you how to use it.
“When our son was four, he had been on the public waitlist for 18 months. He had so much he wanted to say, but we had no reliable way to help him say it. Within a few months of working with Arbutus Speech Therapy, he had a core vocabulary board he used every single day. For the first time, I really felt I understood what he wanted.”
Parent of an Autistic child, Vancouver
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the free consultation?
It is a free 15-minute phone call with one of our SLPs. You share what is going on; we listen, ask a few questions, and explain how our AAC program works. There is no pressure and no paperwork to fill out beforehand. Most families leave the call feeling clearer about their options and what a reasonable next step looks like.
Will using AAC slow down my child’s speech development?
This is one of the most common concerns we hear, and the research is clear: AAC does not slow speech down. Studies consistently show that introducing AAC supports speech development in children who are working on verbal communication. Many AAC users continue to develop spoken language while also using their device.
Is AAC only for people who are completely non-speaking?
Not at all. Many AAC users already have some verbal language, use sign, or have developed their own ways to communicate. AAC is designed to work alongside whatever communication someone already has, making it more reliable and less effortful rather than replacing it. The goal is never to take something away.
How long does an AAC assessment take?
It depends on the individual’s needs and diagnosis. Assessments can range from 45 minutes to a few hours. Your SLP will give you a clear sense of what to expect on your free consultation call before you commit to anything.
What types of AAC systems do your SLPs work with?
We work with the full range, from low-tech picture boards and communication books to popular AAC apps like Proloquo2Go, TouchChat HD, and LAMP on an iPad, through to dedicated speech-generating devices (SGDs). Your SLP’s recommendation is based on your family member’s specific needs, communication environments, and lifestyle, not on what happens to be most popular.
Is AAC covered by insurance or government funding in BC?
Many extended health benefit plans in BC cover SLP services, including AAC assessment and therapy. There are also government funding programs for eligible individuals: CAYA for adults 19+ with severe communication disabilities, SET-BC for students in BC schools, and RASP funding for eligible Autistic children ages 0 to 6. We are happy to walk you through the options that may apply to your situation on your free consultation call.
What Families Say
Trusted by Families Across Vancouver
★★★★★
“Fantastic. Our SLP truly listens to both you and your child. It is obvious that they care and respect the little people they work with, understanding their limitations. Their patience seems unending. I cannot give a high enough recommendation.”
Parent of a school-age client, Vancouver
★★★★★
“Our SLP connected with our son and built an immediate rapport. Our first session was informative, supportive, and made him feel completely comfortable.”
Parent of a preschool client, Vancouver
★★★★★
“Our SLP is a joy to work with. Even though we connected virtually, they made the appointment engaging and interactive.”
Parent of a client, British Columbia
Ready to Explore AAC?
Book a free phone consultation with one of our SLPs. We will listen to where things are, explain what AAC can offer, and help you decide on the right next step, with no pressure and no obligation.
Prefer to send a message first? Contact us here.