Frequently Asked Questions
Please see below for frequently asked questions and answers! As always, you can text or call at 509-593-8993 to speak with us directly or use our contact form to send us an email.
(509) 583-8993
Who can benefit from using AAC?
AAC is beneficial for anyone who can’t communicate everything they want to say reliably and consistently with spoken words. AAC can be used all the time to communicate or only used occasionally. For example, AAC can be beneficial for infants and toddlers who will eventually develop spoken speech but are currently showing delays in speech and language development. Individuals with Situational Mutism may only need to use AAC in certain scenarios. A non-speaking autistic individual may use AAC all the time. If someone experiences a stroke later in life that impacts speech, they may start using AAC even though they didn’t before. There are no “rules” to who can use AAC and here at Uplift AT, we believe that everyone can benefit from AAC – regardless!
What populations do you serve?
We serve all ages – from infants to adults! Since we believe AAC can benefit everyone, we accept any client who needs support with communicating and is open to exploring the world of AAC! Generally speaking, we often support individuals who are/individuals with:
- autistic / ADHD
- situational mutism
- genetic conditions (e.g., Down syndrome)
- neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy)
- apraxia, dysarthria, aphasia
Does using AAC stop or slow down speech development?
No, using AAC will not slow down or stop the development of spoken speech. Research shows that AAC may actually support spoken speech in developing even faster than without AAC! Unfortunately, there are many speech therapists that still share this false myth.
Other therapists/teachers say we should focus on just speech. Is that true?
Many speech therapists, teachers, and medical providers still incorrectly believe that introducing AAC will stop potential speech development. This is false. Introducing AAC has a host of benefits including speech and language growth, decreased frustration, increased independence and self-advocacy, and increased participation in other activities. If you’ve been told that your current therapist is only going to focus on spoken speech, come see us and we’ll show you a world of possibilities when you add AAC to the mix!
Will you help us get an AAC device funded through our insurance?
Yes! We have extensive experience working with local representatives from AAC companies to get devices funded through both commercial and state insurance. If you are working with us via telehealth, we will make sure you get AAC devices sent straight to your home to trial and explore as part of the process.
Will my insurance cover speech therapy focused on AAC use or an AAC device?
Each insurance plan is different in terms of what it covers and your estimated cost. Many plans cover speech therapy including AAC assessments and programming. A few don’t. The first step is to reach out to us with your insurance information! We’ll guide you through the steps from there.
My child already has an AAC device from their school. Do they need to get one through our private insurance/can we get one?
School districts are required by law to provide AAC devices to students when they deem it is necessary in order to access and participate in their education. These devices, however, are property of the school district and not owned by the student. Once a student ages out of school, the device will be returned to the district and the student may be left without a way to communicate. In these situations, it is important for the student to seek a personal AAC device that is either funded through their insurance or purchased directly by their family. That’s where we come in!
Additionally, some school districts may pose restrictions on AAC device use such as prohibiting it from being edited by the family or taken home for the summer. Reach out to use to discuss options if your child has a school district issued AAC device but you think they could benefit from one owned independently.
Do you take insurance?
Yes! We are in-network with Premera, Regence, and Molina currently. See our Insurance page for more information.
Do you take Medicare insurance?
No, we are not in-network with Medicare at this time. By law, those with Medicare are prohibitted from privately paying for services as well. The only way we can see an individual with Medicare is if they also have DDA waiver services. We are contracted to provide Assistive Technology services and Staff/Family Consultation under DDA.
Where do services happen?
We can provide therapy in your home, in a community space, or via telehealth. We do not have a brick and mortar clinic location.
Generally speaking, we can provide home-based, community-based, and telehealth sessions if you are within King County, Washington. If you live within the greater Washington State, we can provide only telehealth sessions.
We do not offer services outside of Washington State.
My child/loved one won't pay attention to a screen. How will teletherapy work?
We use a parent/caregiver coaching approach to therapy which pairs well with teletherapy. We do not require clients to sit still or pay attention to the screen. Rather, we encourage communication partners to set up the laptop in a comfortable space in the home where we can observe the daily routines and conversations taking place. We will then coach the communication partner in techniques and strategies to use right in those moments! Consider us like a sports coach in your ear – providing live feedback and suggestions on what to try next time.
We will also discuss situations that occur outside of therapy visits and provide you with strategies to try. Through this back and forth conversation, we will hone in on what works for you and your family.
When can we schedule visits?
We are open Monday through Friday and offer sessions starting as early as 8 a.m. and as late as 5:30 p.m.
Do you provide sessions on Saturday or Sunday?
No, we only offer sessions Monday through Friday.
How long are sessions?
Sessions range from 30 – 60 minutes and typically occur 1-2 times per week or once every two weeks. We will discuss our recommendation with you once we complete our evaluation.
Do you provide services in other languages besides English?
Yes! Jenica is a bilingual English-Spanish speaker and offers all of her services in Spanish without the need for an interpreter. We are currently working on offering interpretation for other languages.