Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)
Communication is a human right.
At Kindred Communication, we believe every person deserves to be heard, understood, and respected—no matter how they communicate.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) includes tools, strategies, and supports that help individuals express their thoughts, needs, and personalities when speech alone is not reliable or sufficient. AAC can include letter boards, spelling-based systems, speech-generating devices, and multimodal communication approaches.
AAC is not a last resort. It is a powerful pathway to connection, autonomy, and belonging.
Our AAC Philosophy
We take a presume competence approach. That means we assume understanding, intelligence, and intent—even when communication is inconsistent, slow, or unconventional.
AAC works best when it’s not limited to therapy sessions. Real communication happens at home, in the community, with friends, coworkers, and family. That’s why AAC must be supported by people who understand how to be strong communication partners in everyday life.
The Communication Partner Program
Our Communication Partner Program is a relationship-based support model designed to help AAC users communicate effectively across environments—not just during therapy, but throughout their daily lives.
Communication Partners are carefully selected, trained, and supported by Kindred Communication to work consistently with an individual using AAC.
This program is ideal for individuals who:
Use or are learning to use AAC
Need consistent support to communicate across settings
Benefit from familiar, trusted partners
Want support beyond traditional clinic-based therapy
What Communication Partners Do
A Communication Partner is not a caregiver, aide, or therapist—they are a trained ally in communication.
Partners are trained to:
Support AAC use without prompting or controlling
Model respectful, patient communication
Provide wait time and emotional regulation support
Assist with spelling, typing, or device access when appropriate
Support communication during real-life activities (home, work, school, community)
Honor autonomy, consent, and self-determination
The focus is always on authentic communication, not compliance or performance.
Training & Oversight
All Communication Partners receive:
Direct training from Kindred Communication
Ongoing coaching and supervision
Education in AAC best practices and neurodiversity-affirming support
Alignment with speech-language therapy goals when applicable
This ensures consistency, quality, and ethical AAC support—especially for individuals who require a stable communication environment.
Compatible With Funding Programs
The Communication Partner Program is designed to work seamlessly alongside:
Speech-language therapy
Community Living Supports
Community Integration
Self-Determination and waiver-based funding
Private pay arrangements
We collaborate closely with families, therapists, and funding teams to ensure services are appropriately structured and documented.
More Than a Program—A Relationship
AAC is not about devices. It’s about relationships.
When individuals are surrounded by people who understand how to listen, wait, and trust their communication, confidence grows—and so does independence.
If you’re looking for AAC support that extends beyond therapy and into real life, the Communication Partner Program may be the missing piece.
We’d love to talk with you about what communication support could look like for your family.
Send Us A Note
You can begin immediately, there is no wait list. This means you can start learning as soon as today.
You can access our in-person services anywhere. We can meet you right where you are.
The program is designed to teach you and your family how to communicate using AAC so everyone in the family benefits from being involved in learning how to communicate.
Our coaching is directed by our Licensed Speech and Language Pathologists. You will get the highest quality coaching and the opportunity to work one-on-one in the comfort of your own home.
If you are ready to start learning new ways to communicate with your loved one and have a team of experts by your side while you do, then click the button below.