Assistive Technology

There are children throughout BC with severe speech and writing disabilities. Difficulty speaking and writing can be due to disabilities such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities, and other neurological conditions. These children or youth may lack the physical or cognitive skills necessary for speech and writing.

The majority of children with severe communication impairments can be assisted by augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and/or assistive technology (AT). These services are available through the Assistive Technology Team. The team works collaboratively with community team members and other involved agencies to complete assessments and allow for follow-up of recommendations.

Our services are designed to support, enhance, or provide alternate methods of communication (both oral and written). We do this through:

providing assessment services that help parents and community teams determine a child’s assistive technology needs;
assisting parents and community teams to implement assistive technology;
providing information and resources about general topics in assistive technology; and
designing and building custom solutions when no commercial project is appropriate.

Since no two children and no two situations are alike: Sunny Hill works closely with each child, his or her family and the community professionals to determine the best way to deliver services. The options include:

direct assessment and consultation at Sunny Hill site;
providing resources (written information, equipment and material loans); or
assessment appointments with the child, parents and community team in the child’s home, school, preschool or Child Development Centre (outreach).

This allows the team to gain a better understanding of the child’s communication needs and individual situation. It also provides efficient and effective closer to home educational services (in-services, workshops, conferences, telehealth sessions) to families and community teams throughout the province.
If we recommend equipment, we work closely with families and community teams to help them access funding sources. Funding sources may include:

“I Can Talk Too” Program through Sunny Hill (PDF)
SET-BC (Special Education Technology – BC)
School District, Special Education or Child Development funding
Community service groups and charitable organizations
Private funds

For a guide to AAC services in BC click here (PDF).

Contact person: Team Leader, Assistive Technology

For more information, contact the Team Leader through the Sunny Hill switchboard at 604-453-8300.

Links

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PHSA improves the health of British Columbians by seeking province-wide solutions to specialized health care needs in collaboration with BC health authorities and other partners. For more information, visit http://www.phsa.ca

PHSA agencies include: BC Cancer Agency, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, BC Mental Health & Addiction Services, BC Provincial Renal Agency, BC Transplant, BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre, and Cardiac Services BC.