aac solutions: low to high tech alicia dinda m.a., ccc-slp ann bedard m.s., ccc-slp...
TRANSCRIPT
AAC SOLUTIONS: LOW TO HIGH
TECH
Alicia Dinda M.A., CCC-SLP Ann Bedard M.S., CCC-SLP
Overview
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?
The American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) defines AAC as “all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas.”
These forms of communication can be used in conjunction with (augmentative) or in place of (alternative) oral speech.
Overview
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?
AAC can include anything from gestures to dynamic display speech generating devices.
“Ideally, an AAC system includes more than one mode of communication, with the child using whichever is the most efficient given the persons, setting and activity at hand. Very often one of the modes of communication in an AAC program is natural speech.” (University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s AAC Connecting Young Kids [YAACK] website)
Overview
Who?
Anyone who has difficulty communicating using verbal speech alone could benefit from the use of AAC.
AAC users are of all ages and have a variety of conditions including: autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, apraxia of speech, Traumatic Brain Injury, etc.
Some may use AAC for only a short time, and others may depend on it for a lifetime.
Overview
When?
Speech is not meeting communication needs
“A child whose speech is not developing within the realm of what is considered normal, or is not likely to develop normal speech due to a pre-existing condition, is a potential candidate for AAC. Even when it is unclear whether or not a child will eventually develop normal speech, and this is frequently the case, the child may still benefit from an AAC program.” (University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s AAC Connecting Young Kids [YAACK] website)
Overview
Where?
AAC can be used in any setting including school, home, and the community
The individual is encouraged to use their form of AAC across settings and environments. This will help to generalize the skills and use of the system.
Overview
Why? Speech is not meeting communication needs
Vocabulary is not spontaneous
Speech is scripted but lacks meaning
Difficulty initiating communication with others
Speech is not intelligible to familiar and/or unfamiliar listeners
Myths
AAC will stop language development This myth is false!!! Available research indicates that the use of AAC
does not decrease speech production, and in some cases increases speech production.
This is true for all children regardless of their disability.
Speech may continue to be a component of a multimodality communication program.
YAACK website: Does AAC Impede Natural Speech? http://aac.unl.edu/yaack/b2.html
Dynavox Implementation Toolkit: AAC Myths Revealed http://www.dynavoxtech.com/training/toolkit/details.aspx?id=399
Myths
It’s only for kids who don’t talk Individuals can benefit from the use of AAC in
addition to verbal communication when oral speech is not meeting their communication needs.
AAC can be a tool to support communication and language growth Provides visual information – improves vocabulary
and comprehension and capitalizes on visual-spatial learning skills
Aids in language retrieval (information taken from But…My Child Can Talk…Why a
device? By PRC’s Regional Consultants Margaret Prekins and Catherin Raio 9/1/06)
What is No-Tech?
Any communication system that does not require a power source.
Examples: signing and gestures, communication books, eye gaze boards, picture exchange systems
No-tech continued…
Communication book/board Display symbols/pictures for variety of
communication purposes (ex. Requesting, commenting, greeting, etc.)
Can be used to build language, bridge to technology, back up technology
Single sheet, multiple simultaneous, and multiple sequencial designs
No-tech continued…
Flip n’ Talk Combines use of communication book and board The book organizes core and situation-specific vocabulary in a
spiral-bound set of 30 vinyl communication strips Board displays core words and sentence starters Utilizes add-on software to use
Boardmaker to edit symbols displayed on the pages
No-tech continued…
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Developed by Pyramid Education
Consultants Begins with requesting and then moves
to picture discrimination, creating sentences, answering questions, and commenting
ABA based Training and consultation
exclusive to Pyramid Consultants
No-tech continued…
Eye gaze board a see-through frame with
letters or pictures on it
Modifying
All no-tech systems can be modified to meet the student’s needs. Things to consider when creating include:
Size of symbol
Number of symbols presented per page
Symbol vs. photo
Line drawing vs. color symbol
Resources
Boardmaker
Google Images
Quick Pics www.patrickecker.org/quickpics.htm
Speaking of Speech www.speakingofspeech.com
Pogo Boards www.pogoboards.com
Picture This software
What is Low/Mid-Tech?
Low Tech: Any communication system that requires a source of power and is very easy to program.
Mid Tech: Any communication system that requires a power source and requires some level of training to adequately program and maintain the device.
Switches
Button Switches Single message
BIGmack Chipper& LITTLEMack
Sequenced messages Big & Little Step-by- Sequencer
Step Communicator
Leveled Step-by-Step with Levels
Switches cont.
Variety of sizes/shapes Add pictures for variety of switches incl. toggle See communication comparison chart on
www.enablingdevices.com
Object level communication Compartment switches Talking My Way Communication System
iPad/iPod Touch switch apps TapSpeak TapSpeak Sequencer
Static Display Devices
Go Talk--------------
Quick Talker
AMDI Tech/Speak Series ---------------------
Boardmaker Activity Pad
Static Display Devices cont.
Progressive Super Talker 7-level
Communicators
iPad and Sounding Board iCommunicate
iPod Touch apps
ProxTalker
Moveable Picture Communication System
The website states: “The Logan ProxTalker is an assistive communication device that anyone who uses picture exchange to communicate can easily learn. The benefit is increased independence in communication because the ProxTalker actually talks.”
More low/mid tech options
Talking photo album
Communication book with voice added using Livescribe pen
Resources
Enabling Devices.com (http://enablingdevices.com/files/content/ComparisonChart.pdf)
Mayer-Johnson.com/us/assistive-technology
Ablenet Ablenetinc.com
What is High-Tech?
Any communication system that requires a power source and extensive training to competently program and maintain the device.
Examples: dynamic display devices, speech generating devices
Dynavox
Maestro V+Vmax+
Tango Xpress M3
Prenke Romich
Vantage Lite
SpringBoard Lite
ECO2
Saltillo
ALT-Chat
ChatPC-Silk
iPad/iPod Touch Applications Proloquo 2 go
“provides a full-featured communication solution for people who have difficulty speaking. It brings natural sounding text-to-speech voices, up-to-date symbols, powerful automatic conjugations, a default vocabulary of over 7000 items, full expandability and extreme ease of use to the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.”
iPad/iPod Touch Applications cont.
Touch Chat“Words, phrases and messages are spoken with a built-in voice synthesizer or by playing back a recorded message.
Includes: symbol based communication pages, core word sentence building, keyboard with word prediction
Word Power can be purchased for a higher level of core word vocabulary
Can edit on both computer and device when Windows editor is purchased
More dynamic screen options Computer software
Say it Sam------------
Speaking Dynamically Pro
The Grid 2 ---------------------------------
Proloquo
Pogo Boards-----
More dynamic screen options Nintendo DS
Tap to Talk“makes communication fun, like another “game” on this cool device. Just tap a picture and TapToTalk speaks. Each picture can lead to another screen of pictures. You’ll learn about TapToTalk Designer, the online subscription service that you use to create your own AAC albums for your child. TapToTalk Designer includes a library of over 2,000 pictures. You can add your own pictures, photos and sounds. You can even record your own voice.
Pros and Cons
Dedicated vs. Commercially available
Funding
Training
Tech-support
Durability
Access
Resources for Use and Implementation Dynavox grids for keeping track of use http://www.dynavoxtech.com/training/toolkit/pathsList.aspx
Caroline Musselwhite’s resources
AAC Language Lab.com (in the classroom)
AAC Intervention.com
AACandAutism.com
Closing Thoughts
Finding an appropriate AAC tool or device for a student is only the start.
AAC users do not become proficient without appropriate support, instruction, practice, and encouragement.
Just like a piano alone doesn’t make a pianist, nor does a basketball make an athlete. Likewise, an AAC device alone doesn’t make one a competent, proficient communicator. (Beukelman, 1991).
Discussion & Questions
Thank you for coming!