AAC final

What are the differences between a client with developmental disabilities vs. acquired/degenerative conditions for AAC?

Developmental: communication skills are still developing

Acquired/degenerative: previously had intact communication

Common developmental disorders associated with communication impairment?

ASD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ID, CAS

Myths vs truths about older beginning communicators?

Too old to learn AAC

• AAC can be learned at any age

• AAC replaces speech

• AAC supports communication and may support speech development

myth, truth, myth, truth

What do we know about vocabulary learning in developmental disabilities?

core vocab, learning is slower, vocab must be functional and meaningful

Continuum of intervention approaches?

explicit instruction, milieu teaching, modeling, coaching, strategy instruction

Characteristics of Gestalt learners?

learn in chunks, echolalia, progress from memorized phrases → flexible language

AAC strategies for Gestalt learners?

program phrases, model flexible scripts, avoid overemphasis on single-word

Common acquired/degenerative disorders?

Stroke, TBI, ALS, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, Guilliain-Barre

Communication symptoms of ALS?

dysarthria, reduced intelligibility, loss of speech, preserved cognition

ALS intervention phases?

• Early: speech support, introduce AAC

• Middle: transition to AAC

• Late: full AAC reliance, caregiver training

Voice banking vs message banking?

• Voice banking: records speech to create a synthetic voice

• Message banking: records specific phrases/messages

Communication symptoms of Huntington’s disease?

Dysarthria, Cognitive decline, Impaired executive function, Reduced communication efficiency

Huntington’s intervention phases?

Early: support cognition + speech, Middle: introduce AAC strategies, Late: simplify AAC, caregiver support

Guillain-Barré intervention focus?

Temporary AAC (often recovery expected), Focus on access methods (e.g., eye gaze)

TBI AAC considerations?

Cognitive impairments (attention, memory), Fatigue, Need for structured + flexible AAC supports

Emerging communicators (aphasia) characteristics?

Limited intentional communication, Rely on gestures or basic signals, Inconsistent responses

Intervention for emerging communicators?

Build intentional communication, Use simple AAC (yes/no, basic choices), Heavy modeling

What are the characteristics of clients with aphasia who are classified as transitional communicators?

Beginning symbolic use, Inconsistent AAC use, Limited vocabulary

What is the primary focus of intervention for a transitional AAC communicator?

Expand vocabulary, Improve consistency, Increase functional communication

What are the characteristics of clients with aphasia who are classified as contextual choice communicators?

Use AAC within familiar contexts, Limited generative ability

What is the primary focus of intervention for a contextual choice communicator?

Increase flexibility, Expand contexts + partners

What are the characteristics of clients with aphasia who are classified as specific-needs communicators?

Use AAC for specific situations only, Limited generalization

What is the primary focus of intervention for a specific-needs communicator?

Expand communication functions, Increase independence

What are the characteristics of clients with aphasia who are classified as stored message communicators?

Use pre-programmed phrases, Limited generative language

What is the primary focus of intervention for a stored message communicator?

Increase generative language, Improve flexibility

What are the characteristics of clients with aphasia who are classified as generative or comprehensive communicators?

Can create novel messages, Use robust AAC systems

What is the primary focus of intervention for a generative AAC communicator?

Improve efficiency and speed, Refine language complexity

What are the intervention focuses of early, middle, and late phase interventions for individuals with acquired and degenerative conditions?

Early: introduce AAC and preserve skills

Middle: increase reliance and adaptation

Late: maintain communication and support caregivers

What are some communication partner strategies that are recommended for clients with degenerative conditions?

Model AAC use, Provide wait time, Acknowledge attempts, Use multimodal communication, Simplify communication when needed

What are the crucial elements needed to create contextual richness in visual scene displays?

Real-life, meaningful scenes, Personalized content, Clear hotspots for interaction, Strong visual relationships between elements

What are important assessment considerations for patients with aphasia?

Residual language abilities, Cognitive skills, Functional communication needs, Multimodal communication abilities

What are some advancements related to artificial intelligence that could impact AAC development and usage?

Word prediction, Text-to-speech improvements, and Personalization of systems, Faster message generation

What are the key considerations in the advancement of AAC technology?

Accessibility, Ease of use, Customization, Reliability

What are some needs for the continued development and acceptance of AAC in the future?

Increased awareness and training, Improved access and funding, Social acceptance, Continued research

How is “necessity” defined in different contexts when assessing the need for AAC?

AAC is needed when speech is not functional, Based on participation and communication needs, Not dependent on diagnosis

What are some important factors to consider when ensuring comprehensive accessibility and equity for AAC users?

Cost and funding, Cultural and linguistic factors, Training and support, Technology access

What does research suggest about AAC users’ ability to report crimes?

AAC can support reporting, Requires access and training, Communication rights must be protected

What is the Communication Bill of Rights, and what is its purpose?

Ensures all individuals have the right to communicate, Supports autonomy, participation, and self-expression

What are some areas that require advocacy for AAC?

Education, Healthcare, Employment, Community access

What are some ethical and unethical considerations involved in AAC implementation?

Ethical: access, autonomy, respect, functional use

Unethical: restricting AAC, forcing use, limiting vocabulary, ignoring preferences