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Funding an AAC Device in Chicago: What Caregivers Should Know
Melissa Menendez
Melissa Menendez, M.S., CCC-SLP, CLC, is a licensed speech-language pathologist and Certified Lactation Consultant who brings a unique combination of expertise to Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center. As clinical lead for the speech-language pathology team, Melissa ensures high-quality, family-centered care while maintaining an active caseload that spans infancy through early childhood. Her dual credentials in speech pathology and lactation consulting provide a seamless continuum of support for families from a baby's first feeding through their emerging communication skills. Melissa's academic foundation began at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science in 2011. This rigorous program provided early exposure to communication disorders, audiological sciences, and child development. She continued her training at Illinois State University, earning her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in 2016, followed by her Clinical Fellowship Year and ASHA certification. Recognizing the critical intersection of feeding and communication development, Melissa pursued additional training to become a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC), expanding her ability to support families from birth onward. Since joining Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center in 2021, Melissa has developed expertise across multiple specialty areas. Her clinical practice includes early language development, supporting children from babbling and first words through complex sentences and conversational skills; infant feeding and lactation support, addressing breastfeeding challenges, bottle-feeding concerns, and oral motor development from birth; transitioning to solid foods, helping families navigate baby-led weaning, texture progression, and oral sensory exploration; managing picky eating and food refusal, using evidence-based strategies to expand dietary variety; articulation therapy, targeting speech sound production including notoriously difficult sounds like /r/; and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), supporting children who benefit from communication devices and visual supports to express themselves. In her leadership role as clinical lead, Melissa fosters a culture of continuous learning, facilitates regular case discussions, ensures evidence-based practice standards, promotes collaboration with occupational therapists, physical therapists, and behavior analysts, and provides mentorship to newer clinicians. She is passionate about empowering families through education and partnership, recognizing that parents are their child's most important communication partners. Melissa creates individualized therapy plans that respect each family's values and work across home, school, and community environments.
Read Less →If you’re a parent or caregiver in Chicago, IL exploring AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices for your child, the process can feel overwhelming. AAC device funding will be a top priority and between insurance paperwork, IEP planning, and device trials, knowing where to start is key.
Whether you’re navigating school-based AAC support, private insurance, or self-funding, there are multiple paths to help your child access the communication tools they need—right here in the Chicago area.
What Is the AAC Process? (Across All Funding Options)
No matter which funding route you pursue, the process for obtaining an AAC device in Chicago generally includes:
- Working with a licensed Chicago-based speech-language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in AAC
- Participating in a feature-matching process to trial 2–3 systems that match your child’s unique language and motor abilities
- Completing a formal AAC evaluation with the support of your SLP (required for insurance or school-based funding)
- Customizing the approved or purchased device to fit your child’s needs
- Ongoing modeling, updates, and caregiver coaching for long-term success
Choosing the Right AAC System: Feature Matching Matters
At Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, we help families match the right AAC system by considering:
- Learning style (analytic or gestalt processors)
- Diagnoses such as autism, apraxia, or cerebral palsy
- Access method (eye gaze, head tracking, touch screen)
- Vocabulary layout (core-based vs. category-based)
- Ease of customization for families and therapists
AAC Device Funding Options for Chicago Families
1. Self-Funding an AAC Device
Families in Chicago who choose to self-fund maintain control over the device and timeline. Popular AAC apps like Proloquo2Go or LAMP Words for Life cost $250–$350 and are often discounted during April and October. Many families pair apps with an iPad for day-to-day use. Note that accessories and repairs are not covered through this method.
2. Insurance-Based AAC Funding in Chicago
Most private insurance plans in Illinois will cover AAC devices when deemed medically necessary. A qualified SLP will guide you through paperwork, evaluations, and documentation. Providers such as AbleNet and PRC-Saltillo streamline this process for Chicago-area families, often with little to no out-of-pocket cost.
3. School or IEP-Based AAC Device Funding (CPS and Beyond)
Public school districts like Chicago Public Schools (CPS) may offer AAC devices through a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan. While this method covers all costs—including device maintenance—the evaluation and approval process may take 6–12 months.
<h3=4>4. Illinois State & Community AAC Support
Families in Chicago can also access support through statewide resources, including:
- ITAC (Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation): Free iPad-based AAC systems for residents with active phone service
- The Arc of Illinois: Family grants up to $500 for AAC-related expenses
- IATP and Infinitec: Short-term device loans and low-interest financing
- Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD): Waiver funding may cover AAC if listed in your child’s personal plan
Support for Chicago Families
At Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, our multidisciplinary team offers AAC evaluations, device trials, and parent coaching for families across Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square, and nearby neighborhoods. Whether you’re just starting your AAC journey or need help navigating funding, we’re here for you.
Need More Help?
Every child’s communication journey is different—but the goal is the same: giving them a voice. We hope this was helpful for answering your AAC questions and helping your family find options for AAC Device Funding. Our team at CPTWC is super helpful and knowledgeable. For more information about our Speech Therapy team and how they can help, check out our Speech Page.
We invite you to view our Parent University webinar on AAC funding and selection, available on our website. For personalized guidance, contact your child’s SLP or call us today to at 773-687-9241 to schedule an AAC consultation in Chicago. at our Pediatric Therapy Clinic!
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