CDIS 290: Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

any method used to supplment an existing communication system to express wants and needs (examples: texting, gestures, facial expressions, etc.)

individuals who may use AAC

developmental delay, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disability, aphasia, traumatic brain injury, motor speech difficulties, glossectomy, laryngectomy

glossectomy

all or part of tongue removed

laryngectomy

all or part of larynx removed

3 types of AAC

unaided, aided, combined

unaided AAC

person’s body used, ASL, Singed Exact English

Aided AAC

different types of systems: no-tech, low-tech, mid-tech, high-tech

no-tech

does not use technology, easily accessible materials

low-tech

materials (paper, pen, gestures, communication book, writing), simple to use, little or no power source necessary

mid-tech

some electric power necessary, speech generation system, limited programming options, store messages (GoTalk20+, QuickTalker23)

high-tech

electronic devices, training required to program device, uses computer technology (Eye Gaze device, iPad, Accent 1400)

Aided symbols: tangible

types: real objects, partial objects, textured symbols; used with visual schedules; system focused on actual objects with relationship to vocabulary (example shoe lace represents shoe)

aided symbols: pictorial

uses pictures

aided symbols: orthography and orthographic

braille, writing, finger spelling, any transcription process is considered AAC and orthography

direct selection

individual selects items directly (ex: pushing a button), can be difficult for individuals with severe motor difficulties (slow down ability to express wants and needs), word prediction programs

indirect selection

pointing, eye gaze, auditory scanning, visual scanning, partner-assisted selection/scanning, linear scanning, row/column

output

electronic (light, voice, printed message), voice output communication (recorded/digitalized, natural voice sound, age + gender appropriate, pre-stored), synthesized (robotic, sounds and rules for combining speech sounds, converts text to speech), both

linguistic competence

language ability to use an AAC system (culture and background)

operational competence

ability to use an AAC system (programming new vocab, modifying recorded message, changing voice setting, managing software)

social competence

ability to manage social characteristics of communication (turn-taking, topic maintenance, balanced interactions)

strategic competence

ability to problem solve (repair communication backgrounds, prepare a pre-recorded message to an unfamiliar communication partner)

communicative competence

condisers all competences for quality of life, autonomy, and communication as a right