Parent Day at Autism Collier Charter School

Last week, our South Florida ATS, Carly, had the opportunity to attend a Parent Day at Autism Collier Charter School to talk all things AAC- and what an incredible experience it was!

The team at Collier created such a welcoming, collaborative environment for families, and it was clear how deeply committed they are to supporting their students’ communication journeys.

What We Covered

During the session, we focused on building a strong foundation of understanding around Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), including:

💬 What Is AAC?

We discussed what AAC really means - that it’s not just a device, but a comprehensive approach to supporting communication. AAC can include everything from low-tech communication boards to high-tech speech-generating devices.

🧠 Types of AAC

Families learned about:

• No-tech and low-tech options

• Mid-tech devices

• High-tech speech-generating devices

We emphasized that AAC is not “one size fits all.” Feature matching and individualized support are key to finding the right solution for each student.

🌎 Building a Language-Rich Environment

One of the most powerful parts of the conversation centered on creating language-rich environments at home and school. We discussed:

• Modeling language on the device

• Encouraging core vocabulary use

• Providing consistent opportunities to communicate

• Presuming competence

When families and school teams work together, communication growth truly accelerates.

Hands-On Device Experience

Carly brought a variety of devices for families to explore, allowing them to:

• Compare hardware options

• Understand differences in screen size, access methods, and durability

• Ask questions about real-life implementation

Hands-on experience makes such a difference. Being able to touch, try, and navigate devices helps families feel more confident and empowered.

Funding, Loaners & Support

We also discussed:

• How to access AAC devices through insurance funding

• The loaner process for trials

• Ongoing support available through our team

Understanding the funding process can feel overwhelming, so breaking it down step-by-step helps families know they’re not alone in the journey.

Strong Teams Create Strong Communicators

We are so grateful to the SLPs and school staff at Autism Collier Charter School for their partnership and dedication. When schools, therapists, families, and Assistive Technology Specialists collaborate, students thrive.

Parent education days like this remind us why we do what we do - empowering voices, building confidence, and creating communication opportunities that change lives.

Thank you to the Collier team for inviting us. We look forward to continuing to grow together in supporting AAC learners across South Florida! 💙