Intorduction to AAC

AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)

• used by ppl who cannot rely on their speech to communicate

• Can be used by ppl who have some communication

• For those who have significant communication problem

• Can be introduced at any time

• Incorporates the individuals full communication abilities including existing speech or vocalizations, gestures, sign and/or aided communication

Who uses AAC and how do ik if the AAC is right for the student ?

• 2 million in the US use AAC

• AAC is prob right for a child who presents w an expressive communication impairment that interferes w or prevents the development and use of oral lang

• Decision to use is always a team decision

Are there any prerequisites to using AAC?

• no

• Can be trialed w anyone

• Can use at any age

Alternative

Completely different way to communicate, completely alternate

Augmentative

Used to support in times when speech is failing them

Unaided

Nonverbal, natural communication, don’t need anything else

Aided

• Require additional external support and can be either low tech or high tech

• Ex. Computer or picture board

Low tech

No technology in it

Ex. Paper w pics

Mid tech

• in between low and high tech

• Requires batteries

High tech

Has technology in it

Ex. Computer

Static

• Device stays the same

• Any low / mid tech

• Ex. Touch pic

Dynamic

You can click on the words that take you to other screens

Access method

• how is the person accessing the AAC/words within the device?

• Is it consistent?

• Ex. Fingers, hand, legs

Core vocab

• comprise 80% of what we say

• Common words

• Verb heavy

• Ex. “More”

Fringe vocab

• not as common

• Specific to certain activities

• Ex. “Barn”

SGD (speech generating device)

• there is speech output

• Dynamic and high tech

• Provide speech output

• Ex. Click on the word “more” and it says “more”

Iconicity

• how well is the word able to be put into picture format

• Ex: “Apple” has high iconicity, “Justice” has low iconicity

Level of representation

How realistic is the picture? Some clients need actual pictures and not drawings or cartoons

Assessment of AAC

1. Team based assessment

   • parents, teachers, students, OT

2. areas assessed include (determines what kind of device do they need/will be best using):

   • physical skills

   • Visual skills

   • Lang functioning

   • Comm needs

   • AAC features, symbols, access

3. Best scenario is extended assessment w trials of various AAC