AAC Device Chicago
Chicago ABA Therapy • Oct 17, 2024

AAC Basics

Patrick McLean
Patrick McLean
Patrick McLean serves as Administrative Director and Co-CEO of Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, a comprehensive pediatric therapy practice he co-founded with his wife…
Read more

Get in touch with Patrick

Patrick McLean

Patrick McLean

Patrick McLean serves as Administrative Director and Co-CEO of Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, a comprehensive pediatric therapy practice he co-founded with his wife Rose in 2014. With over a decade of healthcare business leadership, Patrick has transformed their vision of coordinated, family-centered care into a thriving multidisciplinary clinic serving families throughout Chicago. After graduating from Western Illinois University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Business and Finance, Patrick developed expertise in healthcare operations, strategic planning, and organizational growth. His business acumen combined with a deep commitment to serving children with developmental needs has positioned Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center as a trusted resource for families navigating speech delays, sensory processing challenges, autism spectrum disorder, motor delays, and behavioral concerns. As Co-CEO, Patrick oversees essential operational pillars including marketing and community outreach, human resources and staff development, financial management and insurance coordination, and long-term business strategy. His leadership has enabled the clinic to expand from offering single therapy services to providing integrated physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy, and social work—all coordinated under one roof for maximum family convenience and clinical effectiveness. Patrick's management philosophy centers on creating systems that empower both staff and families. He has built a culture of collaboration where therapists from different disciplines communicate seamlessly about each child's progress, ensuring holistic treatment plans that address the whole child. His proudest moments come from witnessing families' journeys—from initial concerns through celebrated milestones and hard-won achievements. Beyond his professional role, Patrick brings personal perspective as a father of four children. He actively coaches his kids in various sports, enjoys creating barbecue masterpieces on his smoker, and values connection time with friends on the golf course. This balance between professional purpose and family life reinforces his understanding of the families Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center serves every day.

Read Less →
Augmentative and alternative communicationChicagoResearchSLPSpeech therapy
890 views

October is AAC awareness month! You might be thinking, “I’ve heard the term AAC used often, but what is it?” Let’s break it down and teach you the AAC Basics for you.

AAC Defined:

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an umbrella term that encompasses the communication methods used to supplement or replace speech or writing for those with impairments in the production or comprehension of spoken or written language.

AAC Types:

  • Low Tech: Pictures, symbols communication books, choice boards, flip boards, core vocabulary boards.
  • Mid-Tech: Voice Output Buttons (i.e., Go Talk 20+ device)
  • High Tech: Dynamic display device (i.e., LAMP, TouchChat, eye gaze system, DynaVox, Nova Chat, Proloquo2Go iPad application) 
Low Tech AAC
Mid Tech AAC
AAC for ABA Therapy
High Tech AAC

 

 

 

 

 

AAC Basics Tips:

  • MODEL: Model expected communication behaviors before expecting to see those behaviors from the student.
  • WAIT: Wait 10-20 seconds (w/ an expectant look) before re-prompting (count in your head)
  • ALLOW: Allow user time to explore and learn their system 
  • MAKE: Make AAC available at all times (for a lot of our students their AAC system is their voice, don’t take their voice away!) 
  • TEACH: Teach language functions including directing, commenting, requesting assistance, etc. (not just wants/needs) 
  • CORE: Provide core words including verbs and describing words (in addition to nouns).  Core words include vocabulary such as:  No, Yes, Want, It, That , My, You, Help, On, Off 
  • FRINGE: Provide fringe words that are individualized based on the communication needs of the individual, more situation specific vocabulary, importance changes from context to context and from person to person (i.e., headphones, crackers, cookies) 

Further Research and Information

Research shows the use of AAC can enhance speech production, or that it would remain the same, but it would never hinder it. AAC use can lead to great strides in speech development. One technique that has proved very helpful when paired with an AAC device is Aided Language Stimulation. This is a language stimulation approach in which the facilitator uses the client’s communication system and repeats it with their verbal language (i.e., communicating with the client using their symbols as much as we talk to them using verbal language). 

This method along with many others are practiced here at our clinic and many others across the country. If you have more questions about AAC Basics or about receiving more help with getting your child to reach new speech milestones, please give us a call at 777-687-9241 or check out our Speech Therapy Page.

Schedule Your Child's Evaluation Today

Take the first step towards supporting your child's development.

You Might Also Like

 Ready to Support Your Child's Development?

 Our expert team is here to help. Schedule a consultation today.