CSD 5230 Advanced Applications in Communication Modalities

1. CSD 5230 Advanced Applications in Communication Modalities • Introduction to AAC • Orientation to Course • Assessment • Report Writing AAC

2. Perceptions Associated with AAC AAC

3. Definition of: AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) An audio compression technology that … provides greater compression and better sound quality than MP3 AAC

4. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ASHA, 2005) • refers "to an area of research, clinical, and educational practice. • AAC involves attempts to study and when necessary compensate for temporary or permanent impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions of individuals with severe disorders of speech-language production and/or comprehension, including spoken and written modes of communication" AAC

5. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ASHA, 1991) • An integrated group of components, including the symbols, aids, strategies and techniques used by individuals to enhance communication. AAC

6. Symbols • refer to the methods used for visual, auditory, and/or tactile representation of conventional concepts • gestures • manual sign sets/systems • printed words • objects • spoken words • Braille • pictures/photographs AAC

7. Aids • refer to physical objects or devices used to transmit or receive messages • a communication book, board, chart, • electronic device, or • computer AAC

8. Strategies • refer to ways of using AAC aids, symbols, and/or techniques more effectively for enhanced communication. • a strategy… is a plan that can facilitate one's performance. • goal of AAC is the most effectivecommunication possible for the individual (Hill, n.d.) AAC

9. Speech Supplementation • Strategies that provide contextual information that helps communication partners understand the speech signal • Alphabet Supplementation • Topic Supplementation AAC

10. Alphabet Supplementation AAC

11. Topic Supplementation AAC

12. Techniques • refer to a method of transmitting messages • linear scanning • row-column scanning • encoding, signing • natural gesturing AAC

13. Techniques=Modes • refer to modes of communication • Speech • Facial expression • Eye gaze • Gestures • Manual Signs • Picture Exchanges • Communication Boards • Voice Output Communication Aids (Voca) AAC

14. AAC System = Communication System • It is an integrated network of techniques, aids, strategies, and skills that a person uses to communicate. • AAC incorporates the individual's full communication abilities (multimodal), which may include: • speech and other vocalizations, • facial and manual gestures, • as well as specific strategies and skills for using these various modes successfully in a variety of communication contexts • An aid is not a communication system, but rather one component of an individual's communication overall system • The use of special devices and methods of communication enhances or provides alternatives for spoken language. • The use and needs of AAC systems may change over time... AAC

15. Augmentative and Alternative Communication(Lewis, 1993) • AAC: A set of approaches that is used to improve the communication skills of a person who does not speak or whose speech is not intelligible. • Augmentative Communication Approaches are used to supplement, enhance or support the communication processes for persons who have some speaking skills. • Alternative Approaches replace speech as a means of communication. • Lewis, R. (1993). Special education technology: Classroom applications. Belmont CA: Wadsworth. AAC

16. AAC Terms • Aided - A term used to refer to communication symbols, strategies, or techniques that use something external to the body to represent, select, or transmit messages. • Aided Communication - Communication that uses aided symbols and some type of external aid or assistive communication device. • Alternative Input Devices - Devices that enable access to technology through alternatives to direct selection ( single or multiple switches, expanded keyboards). AAC

17. AAC Terms • Assistive Technology (ATTO)- Any specialized device or service used by individuals with disabilities to increase their ability to participate in tasks of learning and daily living to function as independently as possible. • Dedicated Communication Device - A device specifically designed to be used for communication but that may also interface to a computer, printer, and an environmental control unit. • Non-dedicated AAC Systems - Devices not specifically designed for communication that can be adapted to function as AAC devices (computers). AAC

18. AAC Terms • Nonoral (nonvocal) - Literally, without speech, voice, or oral production. • Nonverbal - Without language. • Speech Generating Device (SGD) is a term used by Medicare to identify a range of voice output AAC systems. • Spontaneous Novel Utterance Generation (SNUG) is based on access to individual words, collocations, and commonly used phrases of our language AAC

19. AAC Terms • Unaided communication - communication using unaided symbols and only parts of the body without any aids or devices (e.g. , facial expression, gesture, manual sign, natural speech). • Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA) - An assistive communication device that features electronically produced voice/speech. AAC

20. What Really Counts • Outcomes • Appropriate (Meaningful) • Based on: • Knowing what to do • Knowing what questions to ask • Implementation • Client/family Satisfaction AAC