Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Finding the right communication tool for your child to thrive
DMG Children’s Rehabilitative Services (DMG CRS) offers augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for our patients who are nonspeaking or whose speech is severely impaired.
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication?
AAC includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. Speech generating devices (SGDs) are used to support or supplement oral communication.
Our AAC team will conduct a comprehensive, state-of-the-art evaluation to determine the medical necessity of a communication device for your child. And with health plan approval, the team will complete follow-up and training services based on the language goals specific to your child’s needs.
Your child’s AAC team will include a:
Our goal is to help your child communicate with your family and others as easily as possible. We’ll partner with you to find the right device to support confident communication for your child.
Meet Our Pediatric Communication Therapists
Emily Edwards, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Medical Specialty: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Education: Master of Occupational Therapy, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ
Certification: National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
Jessica Kaltenberger, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Medical Specialty: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Education: Master of Occupational Therapy, College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE
Certification: National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
Debra Spelman, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Medical Specialty: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy
Education: Master of Science, Communicative Sciences and Disorders, New York University, New York City
Certification: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Tiffany Surman, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Medical Specialty: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy
Education: Master of Science, Speech-Language Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan
Certification: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
