AAC device

[Loveanewsponge]

Does anybody know the path to take for an AAC device? My daughter is diagnosed Autism and ADHD, non-verbal. When looking online, they're not of devices, from what I can see they're from charities and you have to be referred. Is this the case or can I buy one? It's something that I think will really benefit my daughter as she is able to engage well with PECs and widgets but wanted to enhance to the next level and I think she will cope better and less frustrated as she will be able to communicate alot more easily. Thank you in advance

Most have them funded one way or another, e.g. NHS, charity or via their EHCP, but it is possible to buy a device or an app privately. Is DD under SALT?

I thought as much, ive spoken to her peadiatrician this evening and she said she will put a referral through but they only normally give them if they meet a certain criteria to become a successful candidate. She does have SALT through school, but i was told the same thing with that being provided outside of school that they only take cases where the child will show enough positive progression to become a candidate otherwise it isnt accepted. Apparently, it's to give them higher success rates so they can pass more cases boosting the total of positive outcomes, outrageous. Her SALT in school said she has high potential for communication in school. Its a shame because so many could be a little further along if they were to recieve things to help instead of not being developed enough

If DD has an EHCP and the LA won’t include the provision in there, you could appeal. You may need to seek an independent SALT assessment but it would be worth it.

Oh right, actually her EHCP is due for renewal, i had to go for the meeting Friday to go over and see if there was any changes, etc. Do i contact the school for it to be included? Sorry im new to the way the EHCP and stuff actually work

So the annual review (AR) process should look like this:

1. Updated advice and information must be circulated at least 2 weeks prior to the AR meeting.
2. Then you have the AR meeting.
3. Within 2 weeks of the AR meeting, a report must be circulated.
4. Within 4 weeks of the AR meeting, the LA must inform you if they propose to amend or not. If they are, they must send the amendment notice/draft/notice of amendment/proposed amendments (whatever the LA/you want to call it) at the same time and you must be given at least 15 days to comment on the amendments and state your preferred placement.
5. Then if the LA is going to amend, they must finalise within 8 weeks of sending the proposed amendments, so max of 12 weeks from the AR meeting.

If the LA maintains as is, you will get the right of appeal at no.4. If the LA amends, you will get the right of appeal at no.5.

If you had the AR meeting last Friday and there are things you didn’t cover and need to raise, you can do this now by emailing the school and LA. Then, if the report is circulated and you disagree with it (all PoV should be represented by sometimes schools don’t do this), you should email the LA and school. And if the LA propose to amend, you will get the opportunity to make representations. However, amendments are rooted in evidence, so you would need evidence, which is why you might need to seek an independent assessment and appeal.