A Cultural Bases to Develop Strong Advocates for Client and Family Involvement In the Speech-Generated Device Evaluation and Funding Process

This article describes information that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) should be aware of in order to serve as strong advocates in assisting families with users of augmentative and alternative Communication to obtain evaluations and funding for SGDs. Cultural knowledge and awareness is important in providing competent service delivery. Awareness of concerns of many culturally diverse individuals seeking an SGD is discussed, as well as conditions that necessitate the SLP serving as a strong advocate for families with funding needs.

Speech-Generating Device Funding and Patterns of Acquisition for Persons With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

People with such severe and complex communication needs that they require speech-generating devices (SGDs) to meet daily communication needs come from all age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013). Among this group are people eligible for Medicare, which will provide payment for a percentage (typically 80 percent) of covered health care costs, including SGDs. Medicare eligibility extends to people age 65 and older and younger people who became disabled from non-work related causes. In this article, the authors first review Medicare coverage for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices beginning in the 1980s and subsequently document the SGD acquisition and access of 64 people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) whose speech became so severely limited that they required an SGD to support functional communication.

SIG 12 Perspectives Vol. 24, No. 4, September 2015

Download the CE Questions PDF from the toolbar, above. Use the questions to guide your Perspectives reading. When you're ready, purchase the activity from the ASHA Store and follow the instructions to take the exam in ASHA's Learning Center. Available until November 6, 2018.

Facilitating Family and Client Involvement in the SGD Evaluation and Decision Process

There is general consensus that client and family involvement in the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluation and decision process is associated with positive outcomes (Angelo, 2000; Bailey, Parette, Stoner, Angell, & Carroll, 2006; Parette & Angelo, 1996). This paper explores the importance of client and family involvement, summarizes research-based strategies that have been associated with improvements in family involvement and team collaborations, and presents clinically applicable strategies that may be used to foster client and family engagement and empowerment in the AAC decision-making process.

Five SGD Funding Rules of Commitment

This article focuses on policy documents of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) that provide guidance to SLPs facing the various issues and challenges of conducting AAC evaluations that result in a speech-generating device (SGD) funding request. Five (5) SGD funding rules of commitment are proposed for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to consider in their clinical practice regardless of the funding source (e.g., school districts, Medicare, Medicaid, major health insurers, or private pay). The rules highlight ethical conduct, advocacy, and consumer protection. SLPs having questions about SGD funding practices and requirements should contact the appropriate ASHA service staff with their questions as the primary source of information and guidance.

Role and Responsibilities of AAC Manufacturers' Consultants in the SGD Funding Process

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the role of the manufacturers' representatives in the funding process. Input from 3 different manufacturers' representatives are provided, along with examples of actual scenarios. It outlines the type of support that manufacturers and their representatives can provide to speech-language pathologists and to the funding process as a whole.

AAC Supports for Individuals With Rett Syndrome Across the Lifespan

Individuals with Rett syndrome (RS) present with a complex profile. They benefit from a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. In our clinic, the Communication Matrix © (Rowland, 1990/1996/2004) is used to collect data about the communication skills and modalities used by those with RS across the lifespan. Preliminary analysis of this data supports the expected changes in communication behaviors as the individual with RS ages and motor deficits have a greater impact.