09/03/2025
New AAP Report Highlights the Importance of Pediatric Providers Referring Children for AAC Assessments.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a new clinical report—“Prescribing Assistive Technology: Focus on Children With Complex Communication Needs”—published in Pediatrics on June 16, 2025. This report underscores the crucial role of pediatricians in referring families for communication (AAC) assessments with Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) or other specialists to help them connect with tools such as picture boards, tablets, and speech-generating devices.
📷 Image description: A child in a wheelchair uses a mounted speech-generating device with a symbol-based communication board, to communicate to their brother that she wants them to hold hands.
This image reflects the heart of the report—AAC technology isn’t just about devices, it’s about opening up connection, independence, and inclusion. With access to the right tools, children can actively participate in everyday life and relationships, just as seen here.
Financial and societal barriers limit the equitable distribution and application of AAC technology. Much of the recent improvement in AAC devices can be attributed to organizations and companies addressing the principles of “universal design,” where the diverse needs of people and their abilities are addressed in the approach to design, such as the use of tablets or text-to-speech technology that some may find convenient. Still, others rely upon it to manage their day. This report highlights the importance of pediatric providers and professionals working together to assess and address the communication needs of young children, thereby supporting their development and addressing existing gaps.
