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Huntley 158 reports rapid growth in assistive communication program, highlights device access and inclusion
Summary
District staff described a five‑year expansion of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services that now supports 105 students with high‑tech devices, explained device management and loan policies, and outlined next steps including eye‑gaze trials and phone‑based AAC pilots.
Carly Smith, an AAC facilitator and speech‑language pathologist for Huntley Community School District 158, told the board April 17 that the district has tripled the number of students using high‑tech augmentative and alternative communication devices in five years. "We've tripled the number of high‑tech AAC users in the district over 5 years, which is remarkable," Smith said.
The presentation, delivered by Smith and a co‑facilitator identified in the meeting as Debbie, described the district's approach to AAC — from low‑tech picture boards to iPad‑based systems — and the procedures staff use to streamline evaluation, training and device deployment. The presenters said the district uses a consistent, districtwide app layout (TouchChat HD with WordPower) to reduce training time and improve motor‑planning consistency between classroom boards and…
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