AAC Assessment Report
Augmentative & Alternative Communication Evaluation
Jimmy Smith
Date of Evaluation: July 21, 2026
Student Information
Reason for Referral
Jimmy was referred by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to evaluate his current communication abilities and determine whether augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports are warranted. The team reported ongoing concerns regarding expressive communication, participation in classroom discussions, communication breakdowns with unfamiliar communication partners, and limited independence when expressing academic knowledge, wants, needs, and complex thoughts. The purpose of this evaluation is to identify the most appropriate AAC supports to improve educational access, functional communication, and participation across school environments.
This evaluation was conducted using the EvAAL digital assessment platform, which administers a standardized series of interactive subtests designed to measure symbolic recognition, access method efficiency, syntactic understanding, categorization ability, and functional communication through symbol-based navigation.
Assessment Results
The following subtests were administered as part of the EvAAL AAC Assessment battery. Each subtest result is summarized below with performance data and clinical interpretation.
| Subtest | Status | Key Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Access Methods | ✓ Completed | Switch: 80% · Grid: 100% |
| Symbolic Representation | ✓ Completed | Optimal display: 64 icons (83% accuracy) |
| Syntactic Performance | ✓ Completed | 80% (8 / 10) |
| Categorization | ✓ Completed | Average accuracy: 84% |
| Digital Utterances | ✓ Completed | 4 of 4 sentences completed |
| Device Trial | ✓ Completed | Proloquo2Go, TouchChat HD |
| Student Device Preference | ✓ Completed | Preferred: Proloquo2Go |
Jimmy completed all 7 assessment subtests in the EvAAL AAC battery, demonstrating consistent participation throughout the evaluation.
Symbol recognition performance was strong, with Jimmy performing reliably at high-density display sizes (64 icons), supporting robust vocabulary access.
Syntactic performance was strong (80%), indicating solid understanding of symbol sequencing and sentence structure.
Multi-symbol message construction was functional; Jimmy successfully completed all 4 target utterances on the Digital Utterances task.
Grid-based target selection using Trackpad was accurate (100%), indicating that Jimmy's access method is well-suited for AAC use.
Jimmy expressed a clear device preference for Proloquo2Go, which should be prioritized in the feature-matching and trial process.
Access Methods
Jimmy completed the Access Methods subtest using Trackpad, Touchscreen, and Adapted Switch Scanning. This subtest assessed two dimensions of device access: switch scanning accuracy and grid-based target selection modeled on Fitts' Law, which measures the relationship between target size and selection accuracy.
During the switch scanning task (10 trials), Jimmy achieved an accuracy of 80% with an average response time of 3557ms. This accuracy level reflects functional switch access, indicating that single-switch scanning may be a viable access method.
During the grid size target selection task, Jimmy achieved an accuracy of 100% with an average response time of 1665ms and average throughput of 1.12 bits/s. Peak performance was observed on a 25-cell grid with 1.71 bits/s throughput.
During this task, Jimmy visually scanned efficiently, required gestural cueing and showed strong engagement throughout.
Jimmy demonstrated strong motor planning and consistent target acquisition across all grid sizes presented.
Comparative Access Methods Results
As part of this evaluation, Jimmy completed the grid-based target selection task across 3 different input methods. The table below summarizes performance for each device trialed, allowing direct comparison of speed and accuracy across access options.
| Device | Accuracy | Avg Response Time | Throughput (bits/s) | Best Grid Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trackpad | 100% | 1.7s | 1.12 | 25 cells |
| Touchscreen ★ | 100% | 1.1s | 1.64 | 25 cells |
| Adapted Switch Scanning | 92% | 2.7s | 0.58 | 9 cells |
Among all devices trialed, Touchscreen yielded the highest throughput (1.64 bits/s) with 100% selection accuracy, suggesting it may be the most efficient access method for Jimmy at this time. This comparative data should inform feature-matching decisions and guide the selection of the most appropriate physical access strategy for Jimmy's AAC system.
Symbolic Representation
The Symbolic Representation subtest measured Jimmy's ability to identify and match picture-based symbols across progressively larger icon displays. Performance was evaluated across multiple grid sizes to determine the optimal number of visible symbols per display.
Jimmy demonstrated consistent symbolic recognition through 64-icon displays, achieving a best accuracy of 83%. This performance level supports consideration of a high-density AAC display with an organized, multi-page vocabulary system.
During this task, Jimmy visually scanned efficiently, lost visual attention and required verbal cueing.
Jimmy demonstrated consistent symbol recognition through high-density displays, with accuracy declining only at the largest 128-icon array presented at the end of the task.
| Grid Size | Accuracy | Avg Response |
|---|---|---|
| 4 icons | 100% | 1980ms |
| 8 icons | 100% | 2310ms |
| 16 icons | 100% | 2265ms |
| 32 icons | 96% | 3120ms |
| 64 icons | 83% | 4680ms |
| 128 icons | 44% | 6210ms |
Syntactic Performance
The Syntactic Performance subtest assessed Jimmy's ability to sequence symbols to express a target concept or idea. This task evaluates understanding of symbol order and early sentence structure as applied to AAC communication.
Jimmy achieved a score of 8 out of 10 (80%). This score reflects strong syntactic understanding, supporting use of a multi-symbol, sentence-building AAC system.
During this task, Jimmy required gestural cueing and visually scanned efficiently.
Jimmy demonstrated a solid understanding of two- and three-symbol sequencing, particularly for action-based combinations.
Categorization
The Categorization subtest evaluated Jimmy's ability to sort picture symbols into conceptual groups. This skill is foundational to navigating multi-page AAC systems, where vocabulary is typically organized by semantic category.
Jimmy achieved 88% accuracy on the first round (Food and Animals) and 80% accuracy on the second round (Transport, Clothing, and Nature). Overall performance indicates a solid conceptual foundation for navigating category-based AAC organization.
Jimmy made 2 self-corrections during the task, reflecting active error monitoring.
Jimmy sorted symbols efficiently across both rounds, requiring minimal support beyond initial task instructions.
Digital Utterances
The Digital Utterances subtest assessed Jimmy's ability to construct multi-symbol messages using a simulated AAC device with a multi-page vocabulary layout. Jimmy was asked to navigate the symbol pages to build 4 target sentences.
Jimmy successfully completed 4 of 4 target utterances, with an average of 4.3 navigation steps per sentence. Jimmy navigated between symbol pages 4 times during the task. Jimmy cleared and restarted the utterance 1 time, indicating active self-monitoring behavior.
During this task, Jimmy visually scanned efficiently and required verbal cueing.
Jimmy demonstrated efficient, goal-directed navigation across all four target utterances with minimal prompting.
| # | Target Sentence | Student Produced | Result | Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "I want pizza" | "I want pizza" | ✓ Correct | 4 |
| 2 | "I like the red ball" | "I like the red ball" | ✓ Correct | 5 |
| 3 | "I want to go outside" | "I want to go outside" | ✓ Correct | 4 |
| 4 | "I need help please" | "I need help please" | ✓ Correct | 4 |
Device Trial
As part of this evaluation, Jimmy was provided the opportunity to trial the following AAC applications: Proloquo2Go, TouchChat HD. Evaluator observations for each system are summarized below.
Proloquo2Go
During the Proloquo2Go trial, Jimmy required minimal prompting and demonstrated engaged engagement with the application. Jimmy navigated pages independently across core and fringe vocabulary pages. Symbol selection was accurate and consistent. Jimmy demonstrated functional two- and three-symbol combinations when building messages.
Jimmy responded especially well to the customizable home screen and consistent core-word placement.
TouchChat HD
During the TouchChat HD trial, Jimmy required moderate prompting and demonstrated engaged engagement with the application. Jimmy required verbal prompts to return to the home page between activities. Symbol selection was generally accurate with occasional hesitation. Jimmy demonstrated single-symbol requests more often than multi-symbol combinations when building messages.
Jimmy engaged positively with both systems trialed but demonstrated more independent navigation and faster message construction with Proloquo2Go.
Student Device Preference
When asked to indicate their preferred AAC system, Jimmy identified Proloquo2Go as the preferred application. Jimmy rated Proloquo2Go 4 out of 5 for ease of use and 5 out of 5 for enjoyment. Jimmy indicated he liked the picture icons and how quickly he could find the words he wanted.
Clinical Observations
Jimmy was attentive, cooperative, and demonstrated excellent effort throughout the assessment. He established rapport quickly, followed verbal and visual directions, and remained engaged during structured assessment activities. He benefited from additional processing time and occasional verbal encouragement when presented with more linguistically complex tasks. Jimmy demonstrated strong motivation to communicate and responded positively to visual supports and technology-based activities. Communication breakdowns were observed during higher language demands; however, he consistently attempted to repair communication using verbalizations, gestures, and visual cues.
Based on assessment results, the evaluator recommends Direct touch / selection as the primary access method for AAC use.
Follow-Up / Next Steps
The evaluation team recommends a 4-6 week structured trial of Proloquo2Go across school and home settings, with data collection on communication rate, vocabulary use, and partner-supported opportunities. A follow-up team meeting is recommended at the conclusion of the trial period to review progress and finalize funding and implementation plans.
Summary & Recommendations
Jimmy demonstrates established symbolic communication skills across all four core AAC skill areas assessed. Jimmy successfully recognized symbols at a 64-icon display density, completed 4 of 4 multi-symbol utterances using a simulated AAC device, and demonstrated 84% accuracy on categorical symbol sorting, with 80% accuracy on symbol sequencing tasks. This performance profile indicates readiness for a robust, multi-page AAC system with an extensive vocabulary. Communication partners should focus on modeling expanded language, supporting vocabulary growth, and building Jimmy's independence across all communication contexts.
Based on assessment findings, Jimmy demonstrates the skills necessary to access a speech-generating device using direct touch. A robust vocabulary-based AAC system with consistent motor planning, core vocabulary, and access to fringe vocabulary is recommended. The communication system should support academic participation, social interaction, self-advocacy, and functional communication across educational settings. Ongoing collaboration among the speech-language pathologist, special education staff, general education teachers, and family is recommended to promote consistent implementation. Initial training should focus on aided language stimulation, modeling, and integrating AAC into naturally occurring classroom and home routines.
Recommended AAC System
An AAC system with approximately 48–64 symbols per page is recommended, with direct touch access.
- 48–64 symbols per page
- Direct touch access recommended
Vocabulary & System Level
A robust, multi-page core and fringe vocabulary system is recommended for Jimmy. Systems such as Proloquo2Go, TouchChat HD, or LAMP Words for Life provide the vocabulary depth and organizational structure that aligns with Jimmy's demonstrated skills. Based on Jimmy's expressed preference for Proloquo2Go among Proloquo2Go, TouchChat HD, this system should be prioritized in any feature-matching process.
Recommended Next Steps
The following steps are recommended based on this evaluation's results.
- Implement a robust, multi-page AAC system matched to Jimmy's motor, sensory, and vocabulary profile as soon as possible
- Develop a vocabulary customization plan with the SLP and educational team to ensure Jimmy's core and fringe vocabulary reflects age-appropriate and personally meaningful topics
- Conduct a full feature-matching evaluation across robust AAC applications to identify the optimal system for Jimmy's long-term communication needs
- Prioritize a structured trial of Proloquo2Go — Jimmy's preferred system — to assess real-world usability and communication rate in natural settings
These recommendations are generated from assessment data and are intended to guide clinical decision-making, not replace it. Final AT and AAC recommendations should be made by a qualified speech-language pathologist or assistive technology specialist in collaboration with the student's educational team.
Evaluator Signature
I certify that the information contained in this report is accurate to the best of my knowledge and that this evaluation was conducted in accordance with applicable professional standards and ethical guidelines.
Evaluator Signature
This report was generated using the EvAAL digital assessment platform (EvAALTools.com). Recommendations are data-informed and intended to guide clinical decision-making in collaboration with the student's educational team.