# AAC-Focused SLPA

*/JobTypes/AAC-Focused_SLPA*

Departments: Assistive Technology (AT) Services, Special Education Department, Pediatric Rehabilitation Services, Outpatient Speech-Language Pathology, Early Intervention Services, Neurorehabilitation Services, Developmental Disabilities Program.

## Job Type Profile

**Produces**: Delivers customized communication device configurations and direct patient training sessions that enable non-verbal individuals to express themselves. Generates structured session documentation and device usage logs for the supervising SLP to review and adjust treatment plans.
**Ai Surface**: The daily work mixes deeply human, physical interaction during patient therapy with structured digital tasks like vocabulary programming and session documentation. Routine tasks like logging device usage data and updating visual symbol boards occur in digital environments, while direct patient instruction, device mounting, and behavioral cueing remain strictly physical.
**Core Tools**:
- [Tobii Dynavox Snap Core First](/JobTypes/AAC-Focused_SLPA/Products/Tobii_Dynavox_Snap_Core_First)
- [PRC-Saltillo NuVoice](/JobTypes/AAC-Focused_SLPA/Products/PRC-Saltillo_NuVoice)
- [Epic](/JobTypes/AAC-Focused_SLPA/Products/Epic)
- [TheraNest](/JobTypes/AAC-Focused_SLPA/Products/TheraNest)
**Responsibilities**:
- Program and customize vocabulary layouts on speech-generating devices based on the supervising SLP's treatment plan.
- Instruct patients, families, and educational staff on the operation and maintenance of AAC hardware and software.
- Conduct therapy sessions utilizing low-tech picture boards and high-tech AAC systems to facilitate communication goals.
- Document patient responses, device usage data, and session outcomes in electronic health records.
- Troubleshoot technical issues with AAC tablets, eye-gaze cameras, and switch interfaces.

## Neighborhood

### Parent

- [Healthcare Support Workers, All Other](/Occupations/Healthcare_Support_Workers,_All_Other) — parent · Occupations

### Siblings

- [ASC Endoscopy Technician](/JobTypes/ASC_Endoscopy_Technician) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Acute Care Hospital GI Tech](/JobTypes/Acute_Care_Hospital_GI_Tech) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Adult Rehab/SNF SLPA](/JobTypes/Adult_Rehab%2FSNF_SLPA) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy Tech](/JobTypes/Advanced_Therapeutic_Endoscopy_Tech) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Bilingual SLPA](/JobTypes/Bilingual_SLPA) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Bronchoscopy Technician](/JobTypes/Bronchoscopy_Technician) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Chiropractic Assistant](/JobTypes/Chiropractic_Assistant) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Clinical Dietary Aide](/JobTypes/Clinical_Dietary_Aide) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Contract/Travel SLPA](/JobTypes/Contract%2FTravel_SLPA) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Dedicated Scope Reprocessing Technician](/JobTypes/Dedicated_Scope_Reprocessing_Technician) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Early Intervention Home-Visitor SLPA](/JobTypes/Early_Intervention_Home-Visitor_SLPA) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Endoscopy Technician](/JobTypes/Endoscopy_Technician) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Hyperbaric Technician](/JobTypes/Hyperbaric_Technician) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Mobile Endoscopy Technician](/JobTypes/Mobile_Endoscopy_Technician) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Morgue Attendant](/JobTypes/Morgue_Attendant) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Orthopedic Cast Technician](/JobTypes/Orthopedic_Cast_Technician) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Patient Transporter](/JobTypes/Patient_Transporter) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Pediatric Endoscopy Technician](/JobTypes/Pediatric_Endoscopy_Technician) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Podiatric Medical Assistant](/JobTypes/Podiatric_Medical_Assistant) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Private Pediatric Clinic SLPA](/JobTypes/Private_Pediatric_Clinic_SLPA) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Rehabilitation Aide](/JobTypes/Rehabilitation_Aide) — siblings · JobTypes
- [School-Based Itinerant SLPA](/JobTypes/School-Based_Itinerant_SLPA) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Telemetry Monitor Technician](/JobTypes/Telemetry_Monitor_Technician) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Telepractice SLPA](/JobTypes/Telepractice_SLPA) — siblings · JobTypes
- [Travel Endoscopy Technician](/JobTypes/Travel_Endoscopy_Technician) — siblings · JobTypes

### Required knowledge

- [Augmentative Communication](/Knowledge/Augmentative_Communication) — requires knowledge · Knowledge
- [Scope of Practice for Assistants](/Knowledge/Scope_of_Practice_for_Assistants) — requires knowledge · Knowledge
- [Symbol-Based Language Systems](/Knowledge/Symbol-Based_Language_Systems) — requires knowledge · Knowledge
- [Speech and Language Development](/Knowledge/Speech_and_Language_Development) — requires knowledge · Knowledge

### Uses tool

- [Voice output communication aids](/Products/Voice_output_communication_aids) — uses tool · Products
- [Tablet Mounting System](/Products/Tablet_Mounting_System) — uses tool · Products
- [Eye Gaze Communication System](/Products/Eye_Gaze_Communication_System) — uses tool · Products

### Type of

- [Speech-Language Pathology Assistants](/Occupations/Speech-Language_Pathology_Assistants) — type of · Occupations

### Problems this exposes

- [page-set reprogramming for a degenerative client outpaces the device's motor-access settings, stranding scan timing mid-progression](/Problems/page-set_reprogramming_for_a_degenerative_client_outpaces_the_device's_motor-access_settings,_stranding_scan_timing_mid-progression) — exposes problem · Problems
- [vocabulary edits the SLPA makes exceed the documented SLP-authored treatment plan, drifting outside assistant scope-of-practice](/Problems/vocabulary_edits_the_SLPA_makes_exceed_the_documented_SLP-authored_treatment_plan,_drifting_outside_assistant_scope-of-practice) — exposes problem · Problems
- [prepping therapy materials tied to each client's current core and fringe vocabulary set](/Problems/prepping_therapy_materials_tied_to_each_client's_current_core_and_fringe_vocabulary_set) — exposes problem · Problems
- [collecting session data on AAC targets in-the-moment without interrupting the interaction](/Problems/collecting_session_data_on_AAC_targets_in-the-moment_without_interrupting_the_interaction) — exposes problem · Problems
- [programming AAC devices to each user's individual vocabulary](/Problems/programming_AAC_devices_to_each_user's_individual_vocabulary) — exposes problem · Problems
- [training communication partners (teachers/family) on device use](/Problems/training_communication_partners_(teachers%2Ffamily)_on_device_use) — exposes problem · Problems
- [coordinating caseload with the supervising SLP](/Problems/coordinating_caseload_with_the_supervising_SLP) — exposes problem · Problems
- [device abandonment when not matched to the user](/Problems/device_abandonment_when_not_matched_to_the_user) — exposes problem · Problems
- [documenting progress toward IEP communication goals](/Problems/documenting_progress_toward_IEP_communication_goals) — exposes problem · Problems
- [Programming And Re-Customizing A Client's AAC Vocabulary Between And During Sessions](/Problems/Programming_And_Re-Customizing_A_Client's_AAC_Vocabulary_Between_And_During_Sessions) — exposes problem · Problems

### Uses software

- [Therapy Data Tracking App](/Software/Therapy_Data_Tracking_App) — uses software · Software
- [Symbol Library Software](/Software/Symbol_Library_Software) — uses software · Software
- [AAC Application Software](/Software/AAC_Application_Software) — uses software · Software

### Requires ability

- [Near Vision](/Ability/Near_Vision) — requires ability · Ability
- [Originality](/Ability/Originality) — requires ability · Ability
- [Speech Clarity](/Ability/Speech_Clarity) — requires ability · Ability
- [Oral Expression](/Ability/Oral_Expression) — requires ability · Ability

### Required skills

- [Therapy Material Preparation](/Skills/Therapy_Material_Preparation) — requires skill · Skills
- [Client Coaching](/Skills/Client_Coaching) — requires skill · Skills
- [Behavioral Data Collection](/Skills/Behavioral_Data_Collection) — requires skill · Skills
- [Symbol Set Customization](/Skills/Symbol_Set_Customization) — requires skill · Skills
- [Device Programming](/Skills/Device_Programming) — requires skill · Skills

### Engage in

- [Coach Families on AAC Use](/Activities/Coach_Families_on_AAC_Use) — engage in · Activities
- [Implement AAC Treatment Plans](/Activities/Implement_AAC_Treatment_Plans) — engage in · Activities
- [Program Speech Generating Devices](/Activities/Program_Speech_Generating_Devices) — engage in · Activities

### Perform

- [Document Session Notes](/Tasks/Document_Session_Notes) — perform · Tasks
- [Maintain AAC Equipment](/Tasks/Maintain_AAC_Equipment) — perform · Tasks
- [Prepare Therapy Materials](/Tasks/Prepare_Therapy_Materials) — perform · Tasks
- [Collect Client Progress Data](/Tasks/Collect_Client_Progress_Data) — perform · Tasks
- [Coach Families on AAC Use](/Tasks/Coach_Families_on_AAC_Use) — perform · Tasks
- [Customize Communication Boards](/Tasks/Customize_Communication_Boards) — perform · Tasks
- [Program Speech Generating Devices](/Tasks/Program_Speech_Generating_Devices) — perform · Tasks
- [Implement AAC Treatment Plans](/Tasks/Implement_AAC_Treatment_Plans) — perform · Tasks

### What it uses

- [Tobii Dynavox Snap Core First](/Products/Tobii_Dynavox_Snap_Core_First) — uses · Products
- [Epic](/Products/Epic) — uses · Products
- [TheraNest](/Products/TheraNest) — uses · Products
- [PRC-Saltillo NuVoice](/Products/PRC-Saltillo_NuVoice) — uses · Products