Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Practice Flashcards

A complete set of practice question-and-answer flashcards based on the provided lecture notes on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

What impact does Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) have on speech development in children with disabilities or adults with acquired conditions?

There is no risk to speech development; AAC supplements deficient oral communication and provides an alternate means of communication.

What is the distinction between rehabilitation and habilitation in AAC intervention services?

Rehabilitation helps individuals with acquired disabilities regain competence, whereas habilitation assists individuals with developmental disabilities to develop competence for the 1st time.

How do unaided and aided AAC communication methods differ?

Unaided AAC relies solely on body movements (such as gestures, sign language, and facial expressions) without external equipment, whereas aided AAC requires external equipment or technology (such as communication boards, tablets, or speech generating computers).

Why are norm-referenced standardized assessments often inappropriate for individuals with complex communication needs?

They sample skills to compare performance against same-aged peers without disabilities, but individuals with complex communication needs have significant challenges within specific domains that often require modifications, which limit assessment validity and reliability.

What is dynamic assessment, and what key information does it yield for AAC planning?

Dynamic assessment uses a teach-test format to assess functional communication. It yields information regarding individual capabilities, rate of learning, retention, and the level of support required for success.

How is supplemented intelligibility defined in AAC capability assessment?

It is the extent to which a communication partner can understand an individual's speech when provided with textual support (such as pointing to the 1st letter of words or topic cues).

What are the four domains of communicative competence in AAC?

Linguistic, operational, social, and strategic competence.

What percentage of daily speech typically consists of core vocabulary versus personalized vocabulary?

Core vocabulary accounts for $80\times 10^{0}\%$ (used everyday across contexts), while personalized vocabulary accounts for $20\times 10^{0}\%$ (specific to individual context).

How are transparent, translucent, and opaque symbols distinguished in terms of iconicity?

Transparent symbols are easily guessed by an unfamiliar partner without referents present; translucent symbols are recognized once the symbol-referent relationship is explained; opaque symbols show no apparent resemblance to the item and must be taught.

What is the difference between synthesized speech (text-to-speech) and digitized speech?

Synthesized speech uses computer generation to translate typed text into speech with customizable pronunciation and voice, whereas digitized speech uses recorded human natural speech that is stored and reproduced.

What are the primary types of scanning patterns used in indirect selection AAC?

Linear scanning (one item at a time, top-to-bottom or right-to-left), group scanning (progressing through scan groups before scanning by row/column), automatic scanning (continuous scanning until single switch selection), and step scanning (user controls movement with 1st switch and selects with 2nd switch).

What are the key trade-offs between direct selection and indirect selection?

Direct selection puts less load on working memory and provides a 1:1 relationship between motor act and message, but requires precise motor control; indirect selection requires less fine motor control, but places greater demand on the listener's working memory and requires intermediary steps.

What is Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), and what are key AAC display adaptations for it?

CVI is visual impairment due to brain damage (e.g., hypoxia, TBI, seizures). AAC adaptations include simple icons with bright saturated colours, high contrast, increased icon spacing, tactile icons on a light board, keyguards, single objects on black backgrounds, and avoiding visual clutter.

What visual adaptation on an AAC display helps manage diplopia (double vision)?

Limiting message buttons and placing a blank column as a visual cue (anchor) to look left or right.

How do Bulbar ALS and Spinal ALS differ in initial presentation and AAC needs?

Bulbar ALS affects speech and swallowing (head/neck) first while extremities remain intact, requiring head/eye tracking later; Spinal ALS affects limb extremities first so individuals stay verbal longer, initially requiring augmentative writing systems before conversational systems.

What is voice banking, and when should it be conducted for individuals with progressive conditions like ALS?

Voice banking is recording a patient's natural speech to create a synthetic voice that approximates their natural voice; it must be conducted early when the voice is still in good shape.

Where is the brain lesion located in Locked-In Syndrome, and what voluntary movements remain for AAC access?

The lesion affects the ventral pons and midbrain (brainstem); voluntary movement is restricted to eye gaze and eye blinking due to total voluntary muscle paralysis.

Which AAC and communication strategies are used to manage Parkinson Disease symptoms?

LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment), voice amplifiers (for consistent voicing with reduced loudness), pacing boards (to slow fast speech rate), delayed auditory feedback (to improve pacing and clarity), and speech synthesis in late stages.

What is the first step an AAC team should take when positioning a client with Cerebral Palsy (CP)?

Address positioning and seating to ensure safety and maximize physical stability.

What is the primary focus of AAC intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Targeting the core deficit of social communication and interaction by building skills for sustained interaction and learning pragmatics in naturally occurring routines, rather than focusing solely on expressing wants and needs.

What are the primary, secondary, and tertiary components of an AAC system?

Primary components are symbols and vocabulary programmed into the device; Secondary components are user interface, selection method, and output; Tertiary components are external factors such as physical buttons, training received, and device portability.

What type of AAC system display page is shown in this image?

A low-tech communication book/binder display with static picture and text cells organized by functional topic (e.g., Personal Care).

What type of low-tech AAC access tool is shown in this image?

A low-tech spelling/alphabet board (keyboard display with numbers and system commands) used by individuals with well-developed literacy skills.

What category of AAC devices is shown in this image?

Digitized speech generating message devices (GoTalk 4+ and GoTalk 20+) designed for recorded natural human speech output.

According to the ten Hoorn ICU decision algorithm shown, what speech/AAC method is indicated for a tracheostomy patient with intact laryngeal structures who cannot tolerate cuff deflation and has tenacious or copious secretions?

An electrolarynx.