School team: your critical role in

AAC Implementation

(An example presentation)

Claire Hayward, Occupational Therapy Lead for AAC

Julie Atkinson, Speech & Language Therapist

Plus the team at Access to Communication and Technology

Julie.atkinson@bhamcommunity.nhs.uk

Outline of the session

• What is AAC?

• Awareness of the overarching principles

that contribute to the success of AAC

• Signpost to useful resources

• Practice modelling low tech

• Time & space to think & discuss & plan

Use an example from their

Ofsted / CQC report

“Consider how to bring together

elements from the work on improving

communication with elements from

the mental health project to best

support the pupils with the most

complex needs to communicate

their feelings and concerns”

Key Message & Principle:

Augmentative & Alternative

Communication (AAC) • Any system that is used TO and BY someone who doesn’t

use speech as their main form of communication

• The form of AAC used varies with need

• Language is represented by objects, photos, pictures, symbols, written words, signing

• It can be any combination of:

– No tech

– Low tech

– Medium tech

– High tech

What is Low Tech?

“Low-tech communication systems do not

need a battery to function and include:

• pen and paper to write messages or draw

• alphabet and word boards / books

• communication charts or books with pictures,

photos and symbols

• particular objects used to stand for what the

person needs to understand or say” http://www.communicationmatters.org.uk/page/what-is-aac

Types of low tech

ACE resources

Makaton Core Vocab

Least Dangerous Assumption

We can never really know what a person is capable of until we provide them with the opportunity to learn and show us

1

Presuming competence

- No prerequisites

- Will become competent if we use it

- Consistently & for the long term

- ASAP

- Replicating an ordinary acquisition pathway

- While working on other things the child might need

http://praacticalaac.org/video/presuming-competence-and-

using-the-least-dangerous-assumption/ (30 min video) Donnellan, A. (1984). The criterion of the least dangerous assumption. Behavior Disorders, 9,

2, 141-150.

“Consistently” = A Language System

A child using speech will independently select the words she wishes to use from the vast array of words she hears used every day. A child using AAC will independently select the words she wishes to use from the vocabulary other people have chosen to model and for aided symbols, made available for her to use

2

Language System

- Readily available

- A way of initiating communication - “I’ve

got something to say”

- Motor pattern – stay in the same place

- Core words, not just nouns

- It’s about language generation

- Autonomy of message

- Don’t be a ‘gate keeper’

Core Vocabulary

Core is more

3

Core Vocabulary

• 400 high frequency words that make up

80% of the words we use

• Are most common in early language

development

• Need a shift in questioning approach

(descriptive teaching rather than direct /

referential questioning)

• ‘Language stealers’ video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOVm8q0mCYA

Van Tatenhove, 2009, Witkowski & Baker, 2012

Core vocab game

(to practise using core vocab)

Modelling

Language is caught not

taught

4

• OR:

Learning language with an

added way 1

Learning language with an

added way 2

Modelling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flFNMky22-U

‘Smart’ Partner

• Use modelling

• Establish habits the child can copy

• Mistakes happen!

• Make it about the language not the motor

skills

• Let the child lead

• Clarify

• Motivate & have fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz6QY-

wPGA0

Using a Communication book

• Using the book provided, tell your

communication partner something that they

don’t know about you

• … but I can’t find the words!!!!

– This is what our children have to do when we

give them a beautiful new book or communication

aid that they have never seen before!

– Hence the need for you to know their books and

model it to them

What next?

• AAC policy in school?

• Shared learning sessions?

• Training from your hub??

• Request to Senior Management Team / SLT

team for more support?

• Revisit EHCPs and goal setting

• Look at links below

• And MODEL AAC!!!

Takeaways

• AAC is not optional, it is

critical

• Get the book or device out

at all times

• Talk naturally, pointing as

you would sign

• Value low tech

• Plenty of carrots, plenty of

sticks

Further information

• Communication Matters

• We Speak PODD youtube channel

• Uncommon Sense Facebook Page

• AAC SIG Facebook Group

• http://praacticalaac.org/

• http://www.1voice.info/

• https://ilc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Top-

tips-for-implementing-AAC.pdf

References

• Van Tatenhove, G. (2009). Building

Language Competence with Students Using

AAC Devices: Six Challenges. Perspectives

on Augmentative and Alternative

Communication, 18(2), 38-47.

• Witkowski, D., & Baker, B. (2012). Addressing

the content vocabulary with core: Theory and

practice for non-literate or emerging literate

students. Perspectives on Augmentative and

Alternative Communication, 21, 74-81.

Feedback

• Questions?

• Comments?

• Feedback forms

• Certificates

THANK YOU