Augmentative Communication Evaluations
Augmentative communication evaluations may be recommended or requested by:
- Educational administrators
- Child Study Team personnel
- P-12 teachers
- Case managers
- Physical therapists, occupational therapists & speech
language pathologists - Parents of students with disabilities
- Individuals with disabilities
Gathering Information about the Evaluation Process
To schedule an evaluation or receive more information, you can contact a CATIES staff member by phone at 609-771-3016 or email at caties@tcnj.edu. We are happy to assist you with any initial questions or concerns about the assistive technology evaluation before you begin the official process request.
If you would like a CATIES staff member to contact you, please submit an Augmentative Communication Request Form. A CATIES staff member will review your request and contact you to finalize plans, discuss the fee schedule and review workshop guidelines.
Gathering Information about the Student
An evaluation is an involved process that requires review of a student’s background. In order to maximize the benefits of an evaluation, CATIES requests that those individuals who frequently interact with the student complete intake forms. These forms provide valuable information to assist the evaluator in making appropriate and useful recommendations.
Any other documentation or information that can help provide the evaluator with information about the student and curriculum is welcome. These other documents often include a copy of the IEP, relevant sample copies of student work, evaluations or documentation from professionals working with the student and not listed below.
After talking to a CATIES staff member, please download and complete the appropriate forms:
- School representative (AC)
*required - Parent/Guardian (AC)
*required - Physical therapist (AC)
- Occupational therapist (AC)
- Speech therapist (AC)
Location of the Evaluations
Most evaluations are conducted at The College of New Jersey. CATIES has a large inventory of assistive technology/augmentative communication devices and software. Evaluating the student at our facility enables the evaluator to take advantage of the wide-range of available resources. However, Augmentative Communication Evaluations are often done in the environment where communication is most needed. This is often the school or home of the student. Location will be determined on an individual basis.
An augmentative communication evaluation includes:
A review of the student’s educational history as provided by parents, teachers, therapists and school district personnel
An individualized evaluation by a speech/language pathologist. This most often occurs at CATIES at The College of New Jersey but can be scheduled at other locations under unique circumstances and at additional cost.
A written report with recommendations for augmentative communication implementation. The report provides specific product information in order to assist the school district, agency or parent in implementing recommendations expeditiously.