What happens at an NHSE Specialised AAC Service Assessment

Who are we?

Ace Centre provides an NHS England (NHSE) service for AAC Assessments. AAC means 'Augmentative and Alternative Communication' which is anything other than speech that can be used for communication. This could be electronic equipment, like a tablet, or paper-based, like a book or chart. You can use AAC as well as using your speech.

An NHSE Specialised AAC Service assessment help the team at Ace Centre find the best AAC for the people who have been referred to us.

Why have I been referred?

Your Speech Therapist or another professional has referred you because they feel you would benefit from AAC.

Who should be involved?

Ace Centre will support you and your team. This means anyone who helps you with your communication can be involved.

The Ace Centre team will include AAC Consultants who could be Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists or Teachers. Often an Assistant Practitioners will be there too.

A translator will join the assessment if you speak a language other than English, even if you also speak some English.

Where will the assessment be?

The assessment can take place anywhere you feel comfortable. For example, this could be at your home, school, day centre or Ace Centre.

How long is the assessment?

Assessments usually take two hours, but sometimes they can be longer or shorter. This depends on things like whether more than one language is involved.

We can do multiple assessments to keep sessions short.

If you're getting tired or need to stop, we will listen to you. If you know that a certain time of the day is usually easier or harder for you, please tell us.

If we need more time, we can come back for a second assessment another day.

What happens at the assessment?

The assessment is very informal and is not a test.

The Ace Centre team, made of 2-3 members of staff, will join you and your local team. If you, or anyone on your team, speaks a language other than English a translator will also join us for the whole assessment.

We will talk about what is working well with your communication, and what is more difficult.

We might ask you to show us how you communicate now.

We will also look at your physical skills and talk to you about what is important to you.

We will ask you when, where and who you communicate with.

We will ask you about what languages you speak, and who you speak each language with.

You can ask us any questions you have.

You will get a chance to try out some AAC to see what works.

We might come back again if we need more time or information.

What happens after the assessment?

Once we have found something that works for you, we can order it or make it. This usually takes about six weeks but may be longer if bespoke language resources need to be created.

We will come back to give you the AAC when it is ready.

We will provide training on how to use it, for you and the people who help you. A translator will join this appointment if you, or anyone on your team, speaks a language other than English.

You can ask us any questions about the AAC.