The Center for AAC & Autism

What The Center for AAC & Autism does

The Center for AAC & Autism is a privately-held training and certification organization headquartered at 1022 Heyl Road in Wooster, Ohio. Founded in 2009 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Prentke Romich Company (PRC), the Center is dedicated to the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) methodology — a therapeutic approach developed by John Halloran, Cindy Halloran, and Mia Emerson based on neurological and motor learning principles for nonverbal individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. The LAMP approach differs from category-based AAC systems by placing words in consistent motor locations on speech-generating devices, reducing cognitive load and supporting spontaneous communication development.

The Center's product surface consists of four interconnected offerings: (1) LAMP Training workshops delivered across North America and Australia/New Zealand covering Language Acquisition through Motor Planning and Moving Forward with LAMP curricula; (2) LAMP Certification for Individuals, a $325 application-fee program with a 3-5 month mentoring period and 3-year renewal cycle for licensed professionals (SLPs, OTs, PTs, special education teachers, BCBAs, psychologists); (3) LAMP Centers of Excellence, a no-fee facility-level designation requiring 2+ certified professionals and 20% trained direct-care staff; and (4) LAMP Resources & Support, including success stories, video supports, FAQs, and research references. The Center does not sell hardware; LAMP-compatible speech-generating devices (Accent series, Vantage Lite, Via Mini) and the LAMP Words for Life iOS app are manufactured and sold by PRC-Saltillo, with the Center driving demand through training and certification.

Revenue mechanics are concentrated in certification fees ($325 + optional $60 ASHA CEU) and training-class fees (undisclosed), complemented by an indirect revenue stream via PRC-Saltillo device and software sales. The Center serves two primary customer segments — credentialed healthcare and education professionals seeking LAMP methodology training, and parents/families of nonverbal children seeking practitioner access — operating across all 50 US states and 7 international markets (Australia, Canada, UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand). With approximately 8 employees, the Center operates as a focused credentialing and training body within the broader PRC ecosystem.

Name

The Center for AAC & Autism

Legal name

The Center for AAC & Autism

Website

https://aacandautism.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Center for AAC & Autism is a Wooster, Ohio-based training and certification organization (founded 2009, subsidiary of Prentke Romich Company) dedicated to the LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) methodology. It trains and certifies healthcare professionals, educators, and parents to deliver AAC-based communication therapy to nonverbal children with autism and developmental disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

AAC Clinical Training and Certification Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training (EDAKAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Evaluation, Implementation & Training (School-Based) (EDAKAEAI), Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG), Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF)

Keywords

• AAC clinical training
• LAMP certification programs
• Augmentative communication education
• Speech therapy certification
• Assistive technology training

Headquarters

HQ city

Wooster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. LAMP Training Programs: The organization conducts multiple LAMP training classes across North America and Australia/NZ each year. Training covers Language Acquisition through Motor Planning and Moving Forward with LAMP workshops. Hundreds of professionals attend annually.
2. LAMP Certification for Individuals: Licensed and degreed professionals pay a $325 application fee to enroll in the LAMP certification program. An additional $60 administrative fee is available for Independent Study ASHA CEUs. Certification is based on demonstration of clinical or educational competencies through case presentations, written and videotaped submissions.
3. LAMP Centers of Excellence Designation: Facilities providing AAC evaluations, outpatient therapy, education, or professional services to nonverbal individuals can apply for LAMP Center of Excellence designation. Application is free with no fee to register. Benefits include recognition, use of LAMP Center of Excellence logo in advertising, and link on the Center for AAC & Autism website.
4. LAMP Words for Life App: The LAMP Words for Life app is sold through PRC-Saltillo. The Center for AAC & Autism drives awareness and adoption through training and certification, which indirectly supports sales of compatible hardware and software from PRC-Saltillo.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Center for AAC & Autism delivers specialized clinical training, individual practitioner certification, and facility-level Centers of Excellence designation for the LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) methodology, which teaches healthcare professionals, educators, and parents how to help nonverbal individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities communicate using consistent motor patterns on PRC-Saltillo speech-generating devices and the LAMP Words for Life app. The organization also publishes supporting research, video tutorials, FAQs, and an extensive library of documented success stories. Revenue is generated through paid training workshops, a $325 individual certification application fee, and an optional $60 ASHA CEU add-on, while the Center of Excellence facility designation is offered at no application fee.

Product overview

The Center for AAC & Autism is primarily a training and certification organization (established in 2009 by PRC-Saltillo) rather than a product manufacturer. The organization offers the LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) therapeutic methodology through professional training programs, individual practitioner certification, and facility-level Centers of Excellence designation. The core offering is education on how to use AAC devices with LAMP principles—the actual speech-generating devices and software (such as LAMP Words for Life, Accent devices, and Unity language software) are manufactured by PRC-Saltillo, a separate company. The Center provides the training, certification, and support ecosystem around the LAMP approach, along with success stories and resources for families and professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning): A therapeutic approach based on neurological and motor learning principles developed by John Halloran, Cindy Halloran, and Mia Emerson. The goal is to give individuals who are nonverbal or have limited verbal abilities a method of independently and spontaneously expressing themselves in any setting.

Products and services

• LAMP Training Workshops Scheduled LAMP training workshops covering Language Acquisition through Motor Planning and Moving Forward with LAMP, delivered to healthcare professionals, educators, and parents across North America and Australia/New Zealand, with optional hosted on-site workshops for organizations.
• LAMP Certification for Individuals

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants demonstrated the ability to become proficient with independent use of words taught on a device in just a few sessions (pilot studies, 2004)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Prentke Romich Company (PRC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009The Center for AAC & Autism was established in 2009 by the Prentke Romich Company (PRC) to serve as a resource for those working to improve the language and communication skills of kids with autism. PRC encouraged and supported the development of the LAMP training program beginning in 2007 and continues as the founding sponsor. The Center drives adoption of AAC devices and the LAMP methodology while PRC manufactures and sells compatible speech-generating devices and software.
• PRC-SaltilloflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRC-Saltillo is the manufacturer of AAC devices (Accent series, Vantage Lite, Via Mini, Accent 1400) and the LAMP Words for Life app that implement the LAMP methodology. The company is referenced extensively across the website as the device partner, with joint market presence and shared customer outcomes. PRC-Saltillo also maintains the feedback and legacy website infrastructure referenced on aacandautism.com.
• John Halloran, MS, CCC-SLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the three co-developers of the LAMP methodology (along with Cindy Halloran and Mia Emerson). John Halloran developed the GIF approach for illustrating LAMP vocabulary through animated PowerPoint presentations. Referenced as a subject matter expert and trainer within the LAMP ecosystem.
• Cindy Halloran, OTR/LcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the three co-developers of the LAMP methodology. Cindy Halloran is an occupational therapist who contributed to the motor learning principles underlying the approach.
• Mia Emerson, M.S., CCC-SLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the three co-developers of the LAMP methodology. Mia Emerson is a speech-language pathologist who contributed to the clinical practices that shaped the approach.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Avaz Inc. AAC app developer (Avaz, Avaz Lite) targeting nonverbal autism users in school and clinical settings. Comparable as an AAC platform competing for the same clinician-prescribed population LAMP serves.
• CoughDrop: Cloud-based AAC app serving schools, clinicians, and families, with team-management and telepractice features. Comparable as an AAC platform that competes for the same end-user population LAMP targets and that increasingly engages the clinician training channel.
• AAC Institute: Non-profit organization providing AAC education, clinical resources, and professional development for SLPs and educators. Comparable as a competing AAC-focused training and credentialing organization serving the same professional segment.

Direct peers

• AssistiveWare: Developer of Proloquo and Proloquo2Go AAC apps with a strong focus on autism and core-word methodology. Comparable as a competing AAC vocabulary framework targeting the same SLP and parent audience, with an adjacent clinician training offering.
• PRC-Saltillo: Parent company and manufacturer of the AAC speech-generating devices (Accent, Vantage, Via Mini) and Unity/LAMP Words for Life software that the Center trains clinicians on. Directly comparable as the hardware-and-software partner whose product adoption the Center's training business is designed to drive.
• Smartbox Assistive Technology: AAC software and hardware company (Grid, Lumin-i) that runs its own clinician training and certification programs (e.g., Grid 3 certified clinician pathway). Directly comparable as an AAC vendor that monetizes both devices and clinician credentialing, similar to LAMP training + PRC hardware.
• Pyramid Educational Consultants (PECS): Creator and licensor of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), a competing augmentative communication methodology widely used with autism. Comparable as a competing proprietary AAC methodology with its own training, certification, and conference-based credentialing ecosystem — directly analogous to LAMP.

Regional players

• Talk To Me Technologies: US-based AAC vendor and training provider (TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life reseller, TalkTablet). Comparable as a PRC-Saltillo reseller channel that also runs clinician training in the US market, overlapping with the Center's audience.
• Liberator Ltd (Liberator Communication): UK/Australia-based AAC device distributor and training provider (now part of the Smartbox group). Comparable as a geographically focused AAC distributor that runs its own clinician training programs in markets where LAMP also operates (UK, Australia/NZ).

Broad incumbents

• Tobii Dynavox: Largest AAC device and software vendor globally (TD Snap, Communicator, Boardmaker). Competes with PRC-Saltillo's hardware and offers its own clinician training programs (e.g., Discover Hub), making it a broad incumbent in the same clinical-training-and-AAC ecosystem the Center operates in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AACandAutism
• Facebookfacebook.com/The-Center-for-AAC-Autism-143292697749
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-center-for-aac-&-autism
• Instagraminstagram.com/centerforaacandautism

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Center for AAC & Autism