The Augmentative Communication department provides the collaborative support necessary to identify, implement, and integrate communication systems by increasing self-expression to promote safety, self- advocacy and independence in the educational setting. A primary objective of the department is to improve development of communication skills to increase academic achievement, social-communication and positive post-secondary outcomes.

Benefits to Student Instruction

• Improves language development 
• Augments communication and can improve oral speech of AAC users 
• Increases quality of work, school, and life, in general 
• Proven to have positive impact on both language development and speech development 
• Positive outcomes for language development and literacy 
• Supports self expression in social situations  
• AAC users can increase developmental skills such as vocabulary, length of sentence, syntax, and pragmatic skills  
• Department provides continual development and responsibility for district wide training on software, implementation, and assistive technology through the SETT framework (joyzabala.com) and consultations to support students in meeting IEP goals/objectives.