Chapter 2: No-Tech AAC

Vocabulary terms covering types, organizational displays, iconicity levels, and access methods for no-tech AAC systems based on Chapter 2 by Amal Maghazil.

No-tech AAC

AAC systems that are often paper-based, do not have a battery or voice output, and are also known as low-tech and/or lite/light-tech systems.

Low-tech communication devices

Devices that have a simple electronic component and can be purchased off the shelf at novelty stores (including adapted photo frames and greeting cards). They usually require minimal programming and are sometimes limited to single messages.

Iconicity

An icon's meaning and how it relates to its referent, which can be clear (transparent), understood with a little explanation (translucent), or require information to make the connection (opaque).

Transparent Iconicity

A level of iconicity where the meaning of an icon is clear.

Translucent Iconicity

A level of iconicity where the meaning of an icon can be understood with a little explanation.

Opaque Iconicity

A level of iconicity where information is required to make the connection between the symbol and its meaning.

Display Representation

How the vocabulary is organized on the AAC system.

Schematic Organization

AAC displays that are organized by a specific activity.

Semantic-syntactic Organization

AAC displays that are organized according to parts of speech and spoken word order, often utilizing color-coding.

Taxonomic Organization

AAC displays that are organized by categories.

Alphabetical Organization

AAC displays that are organized alphabetically.

Chronological Organization

AAC displays that are organized by the sequence of events or activities.

Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD; Porter, 2014)

A display option combination where the first page of the book usually displays phrase starters paired with a number representing the page to turn to for completing the phrase with specific choices.

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

A specific, six-phase approach developed by Bondy & Frost (2001) to train individuals with Autism to communicate by exchanging cards (line drawings) representing objects or items.

Visual Scene Displays

Picture-based displays presenting a scene/context with salient elements that can be pointed to or manipulated and exchanged with a communication partner.

Unaided AAC

Intrinsic, natural forms of communication that rely on the body, including gestures, facial expressions, body language, signs/sign language, eye blinks, and vocalizations.

Aided AAC

Tools and systems external to the individual used for communication, including no-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech options.

Touchguide

A physical modification for direct access that raises the borders of icons or cells on an AAC display.

Partner-assisted scanning (PAS)

An indirect access method where a communication partner assists in indicating correct targets on an AAC display.