Evaluation & Therapy Services
Access Communication & Therapy provides neurodiversity-affirming speech and language therapy, social skills groups, and AAC therapy. We are passionate about supporting children and adults with complex communication needs!
Evaluations
Speech and language evaluations allow us to look at each client’s strengths, identify challenges that we can help with, and find the best-fit AAC system. Our process typically includes:
Natural interactions
Parent, caregiver, and teacher interviews
AAC device trials
Formal testing (when appropriate)
Evaluations may take more than one session to complete. You will receive a written report with our findings, recommendations, and treatment plan.
Our Approach to Therapy
At Access Communication & Therapy, we believe that all people have the right to be heard, understood, and respected. We take a neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy— meaning that we respect our clients’ differences, follow their lead, and build communication skills during activities that interest them.
Our clients and their family members are an integral part of the team. Parents and caregivers are always encouraged to join in and learn tips for supporting communication beyond the therapy room.
Our Specialties
AAC Evaluations
If your loved one struggles to speak for any reason, they may benefit from an AAC evaluation.
We will determine their best-fit AAC system, give them a “loaner” device to trial in the real world, and then help your family get funding for your own device. Once you receive the equipment, we will meet to set the system up and provide an initial training.
AAC evaluations are conducted over 3-4 sessions, and caregiver input is deeply valued along the way! Once the evaluation is complete, you will receive a written report with our recommendations and a plan for therapy.
AAC Therapy
Once your loved one has an AAC device, we will begin practicing communication while playing, crafting, cooking, or watching YouTube videos together. Our AAC therapy sessions focus on helping children and adults:
Communicate their needs, feelings, and ideas
Use methods other than “speech” to build language, literacy, and social skills
Learn and participate in school activities
Have access to more work opportunities
Parents and caregivers are an important part of AAC therapy. You will also learn how to use your loved one’s AAC device, because people learn best through modeling!
Pediatric Speech & Language Therapy
Pediatric speech therapy looks a lot like play! We will support your child’s development by modeling language targets as we play with blocks, puzzles, play-doh, paint, dolls, and books. Speech therapy will help your child:
Understand others and express themselves clearly
Reach speech and language milestones
Connect with others at home, school, and in the community
Use AAC to communicate (when appropriate)
Parent coaching is always included so that you can use language enrichment strategies at home, too!
Adult Language Therapy and Social Skills Groups
We support individuals with developmental disabilities whose speech, language, and social challenges persist into adulthood. Above all, we focus on helping adults develop the communication skills they need to be as happy and independent as possible! Our social skills groups and adult therapy services include:
Community-based activities such as grocery shopping, ordering in a restaurant, or attending a doctor’s appointment
Social activities such as board games, community outings, and shared meals
Functional language skills such as following a recipe or completing directions for a craft
We Are Accepting New Clients!
Access Communication & Therapy is accepting new clients in Northern New Jersey. Reach out today to get started.