Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The AsIAm Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Support Programme was allocated funding to provide up to 511 high-tech AAC devices to non-speaking Autistic children via three referral pathways:

1. AAC Support Programme,
2. Device Funded Scheme,
3. Trial and Keep Scheme.

AsIAm have advised that there has been a high degree of interest in the programme with 886 initial expressions of interest from families. These expressions of interest are then triaged by the programme team for eligibility, in a process managed by the programme team which includes 2 Speech and Language Therapists.

To-date 138 families have been allocated devices and associated support from Stream 1, exceeding the agreed target and demonstrating the need and demand for this support.

A further 91 children have been allocated a device through a "trial and keep" or "device funded" basis.

The programme is on target to allocate the remaining devices in December 2025, with a significant number of children expected to access Stream 1 which AsIAm has adapted to maximise the number of children they can support.

AsIAm has produced an impact report on the success of the programme to-date and has contracted Dublin City University (DCU) to conduct an independent evaluation, in line with the commitment in the Autism Innovation Strategy.