AAC & AT Consultants

04/07/2024

Great new article examining the evidence relation to the use of Visual Scene Displays with Children. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01626434241263061

Conclusion
VSDs and video VSDs are new approaches to supporting communication for people who cannot use speech as their primary means of expression (Light et al., 2019). This review provides evidence that the use of VSDs and video VSDs with young children with speech-related disabilities to address communication goals meets the CEC Standards for EBPs (Cook et al., 2015). This technology provides a promising tool for promoting communication, participation, and inclusion in early childhood settings for children with communication support needs.

We used the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Standards for evidence-based practices (EBP) in Special Education to evaluate the effectiveness research on t...

01/06/2024

Great to see the amazing Angela Moorad won Community Site of the Year for her OMazing Kids group in the 2024knAAC Awards voted by her peers. Congratulations Angela and to all the other winners !

Keepers and Noteworthies in AAC

30/04/2024

Looking to trial a ‘high tech’ communication device with your client? 🤔

Our equipment library has a range of devices to hire!

Trial a range of apps on an iPad including:
⚙️ TD Snap including PODD, Motor Plan, Core pagesets
⚙️ Proloquo2go
⚙️ Grid for iPad, including PODD, VocoChat, Super Core, Text Talker
⚙️ SimPODD
⚙️ Pictello
⚙️ GoTalk Now
⚙️ Or, trial one of our many static devices such as GoTalk, iTalk, Quicktalker, Big Mack, Step by Step, Cheap Talk.

We also have a range of switch toys, mounting and access devices.

Check out our library catalogue - if you don’t see what you need, get in touch and we can see if we can include it in our library. 👇
https://comtec.services/library/

22/04/2024

Need communication support but not eligible for NDIS? Check out the Electronic Communication Device Scheme! 📱💰

Access funding up to $9500 for devices & software with this Victorian state government-funded service.

Simply get a referral from your Speech Pathologist or Occupational Therapist and we'll handle the rest.

To learn more visit our ECD Scheme webpage below. 👇

ComTEC works with ECDS, a Victorian state government funded service that subsidises speech generating communication devices and software.

09/04/2024

Assistive technology? We’re here to help 🙌
Our ComTEC team has become part of our broader Allied health network. This means we’re still providing specialised AAC and AT consultancy for clients and their primary therapists.
You can access our services in person or via telehealth!
Our services include:
💙 exploring high tech communication devices
💙 increasing accessibility of computers and tablets
💙 technology for play, literacy and learning
💙 environmental control and task management
💙 alternative access to gaming and creative activities
💙 technology mounting systems
💙 library of communication devices to trial
☝️ To make a referral or to request a hire, visit https://comtec.services/consultation/
&ATConsultants

06/02/2024

We’re still here! 🙌

Our team is still providing AAC and AT consultations and hiring items through our library.

Our experienced ComTEC OTs and SPs who specialise in ‘high tech’ communication devices and Assistive Technology are now part of our broader Allied Health team.

We will continue to provide specialist AT support across Victoria and interstate for:
⭐ consultations
⭐ advisory sessions
⭐ training
⭐ professional development
⭐…and our equipment library which will continue to provide low-cost equipment for hire

If you have any questions, please contact us.

16/01/2024

We’ve gone through some changes!

Our experienced AAC & AT consultants will now be part of the broader Yooralla Allied Health team in the West.

ComTEC is a service of Yooralla and the decision has been made to close ComTEC as a standalone service.

We will continue to provide specialist AT support via:
⭐ consultations
⭐ advisory sessions
⭐ training
⭐ professional development
⭐…and our equipment library which will continue to provide low-cost equipment for hire!

Refer or request equipment hire via https://comtec.services/consultation/

15/01/2024

Today, Roisin had the pleasure to work alongside David from .services to help a mutual client gain access to the world of gaming through alternative access and his high tech AAC device!

We talked all things adaptive controllers, eyegaze and switch games as well as home environment control!

Who knew Speech Pathologist got to have this much fun!

14/01/2024

Google Assistant losing many voice control features 😞 thanks for sharing Charlie Danger and David Harraway

The Google app’s microphone will also work differently.

14/01/2024

Great share by David Harraway on the Assistive Technology Facebook group - CALL Scotland quick video on free word prediction options

This video explores two free word prediction tools to support spelling, Show Text Suggestions as I Type and Claroread's extension for Chrome and Edge.

02/01/2024