Assistive Technology for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Mateo's Communication Bridge
MATP connected with Mateo through his speech language therapist at a West Michigan therapy practice. Mateo had already completed an AAC trial with a loaner device from an AAC and found that it worked really well to support his needs. Unfortunately, at the end of the trial period, he had to return the trial device and go without access to his preferred communication modality while his insurance company was processing the request.

MATP demonstrated as similar an AAC system set up as possible for him that he used while he waited for his insurance-funded AAC to come in. Mateo ended up waiting for months for his insurance to come through, but didn't have to go without the ability to communicate how he wanted to while he waited. He now has his very own, insurance-funded AAC and didn't have to lose access to his voice or the opportunity to grow his communication skills in the meantime.

Janie's Stylus Solution
MATP was contacted by a speech language therapist at a private practice who was looking for assistive technology options to support their client, Janie, a child with a limb difference, with access to her AAC system using direct selection. MATP brought a variety of stylus and grip options for Janie to learn about and test out.

Janie's interest in the stylus options and enjoyment of the demonstration was so high, that when the child's school speech therapist reached out to her private speech therapist to establish consistent supports across home and school, that the private speech therapist, with enthusiastic parental consent, helped the school speech therapist connect with MATP to learn more about assistive technology options for supporting their shared student as well as their students in general.

Sunny's Tablet Access
MATP connected with Sunny, a woman residing in an assisted living facility in Ingham County, through her social worker (who makes regular referrals to MATP due to tremendous past success). Sunny was experiencing difficulty accessing her tablet due to motor control and muscle strength needs with her hands. Additionally, her tablet was a very old model and she was not able to use it for all the things she wanted including: video chats, emailing, reading, and entertainment.

MATP demonstrated some mounting options (to help get a better distance and angle for access), two different updated tablets to compare paired with built in stand case options, as well as a variety of styluses. Sunny was so excited to trial the flex stylus, which can be used in several different ways. After testing out a few, she found a position that was comfortable, less fatiguing, and allowed her to be more accurate with her selections. Sunny was so excited to have better access to tablets in general, but especially to her old tablet while she's shopping for a new one, which she said she was now able to make an informed decision about purchasing after MATP showed her options to compare.