Welcome to Let Them Have Their Voices

About the Campaign

Around 1 in 36 children in the UK is thought to have Autism Spectrum Disorder – a condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate. A significant number of autistic children will never develop spoken language, or remain minimally verbal.

But unlike children born with hearing impairments, who are routinely provided with hearing aids by the NHS, non-verbal children cannot easily access technology that would give them a voice.

This technology – known as Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) – is available on a tablet or laptop and can be used to supplement or replace speech. The device works by reading aloud the pictures/symbols chosen by the user, enabling a non-speaking person to express their feelings and ask for what they need.

An iPad with AAC software comes at a much lower cost than high tech AAC equipment but can still cost up to £600, but families with disabled children are increasingly being asked to fund their own. This is because current NHS guidelines provide specialised AAC services which are now funded directly by NHS England. “They provide assessment, review and equipment for those with the most complex communication needs who are likely to require a high-tech powered communication aid. It is likely that around 0.05% of the population, or 5 in 10,000 people, will use these services.” (Sourced from NHS England Commissioning Framework guidance for AAC.). Additional regional services, funded directly by NHS England assess the 10% of the AAC population with the most complex AAC needs. They provide equipment following an assessment for clients who meet the NHS England eligibility criteria. As figure refers to mainly to the top 10% of most critical cases, and the criteria for assessment are prohibitively high this disadvantages many children especially those children with hidden disabilities such as autism. This means that many thousands of non- or minimally verbal children, particularly from low socio-economic backgrounds, are still unable to communicate effectively.

Marissa Webb, director of The Orchid Practice, a speech and language therapy practice teamed up with Dan Harris, the founder of Neurodiversity in Business to improve access to AAC devices for non-speaking children.  Marissa says, “As a speech and language therapist I have seen first-hand how these devices can change a child’s life. They should be available to everyone who needs one- not just those who can afford it. This campaign is the first step on our journey to raising awareness of the importance of AAC devices for children who cannot speak. We hope it will lead to policy change and increased NHS funding, so that those with hidden disabilities can find their voice.”

Joshie’s Story

Josh Harris, 11, is autistic and non-verbal. He started using his talking device when he was just 4 years old – and it changed his life completely.

Dan says, “Until Josh got his ‘Talker’, we had very few ways of communicating with him. He would self-harm by banging his head against the wall in frustration because he couldn’t tell us what he needed or wanted. But this device has been transformational – it has unlocked language for him, and we can now have a conversation – the best gift you can give a child!”

FAQ

A ‘talker’ is a device, which can be an android tablet, or an iPad, which is used as a communication device. We call it a ‘talker’, so that it is differentiated from a ‘tablet’ or ‘iPad’ – which may be used for play and leisure. It is important that the ‘talker’ is always available to the user, as it is their voice.

A Speech and Language Therapist can apply through the NHS AAC referral system, or you can apply for a free talker yourself through our website: https://www.freetalker.org/ – please note that there is a wait list for iPads and the software that supports it. Due to high demands, we often have to close the applications to ensure we are keeping on top of our list.

  • There are many professionals you can talk to about a referral to your AAC hub, this could be your child’s education setting (school, pre-school), who should be able to support you to see a Speech and Language Therapist.
  • NHS Speech and Language therapists are currently able to refer you through a system, however, it is important to understand that there are different wait times and different processes for different Counties.
  • Currently, Private Speech and Language Therapists are unable to use the AAC hub services, as it is an NHS service.
  • No, this is not a requirement to apply for our talkers. The only requirement, is that you feel the person you are applying for, would highly benefit from a talker as a communication device.
  • Your child does not need an EHCP to apply for a funded talker through NHS either as this is based on the individual child and according to AAC hub’s criteria.

– You should present your case formally through writing. If they continue to refuse a device for your child, you must request their decision-making criteria and their formal policy. Your Speech and Language Therapist should be able to support you with this.

– Yes, you can. It is important to consider what app you are going to be using, and ensuring if you purchase a second-hand device, that it is able to meet the required spec. It is also important to ensure it is covered under your home insurance, as it could end up being a vital part of the user’s communication.

  • It is important to ensure that you choose the right software and for the user. However, two commonly used apps are:
    • Grid for iPad
    • Proloquo2Go
  • There are also other options including some free software apps such as WeaveChat but these do not always have all the specialist features of more complex systems.
  • It is important to know that Grid for iPad is extremely flexible, and the company SmartBox is based in the UK, with support.
  • Please refer to our Resources section for more detailed information about the different software options.
  • We are unable to teach you, or provide support after you receive your talker. However, you can get support from the software suppliers on following links:
  • You should seek ongoing support from a speech and language therapist who is experienced in supporting communication with AAC.
  • It is important to work with your child’s educational team closely so that everyone knows how to support using the AAC for the child to be successful.
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