1. AAC & AT

2. AAC
The supplementation or replacemnet of natural speech and/or writing using aided and/or unaided symbols.
Aided symbols:
Tangible symbols, PCS, Pictographs, Blissymbols
Unaided symbols:
Manual signs, gestures, fingerspelling
Lloyd, Fuller & Arvidson (1997)
March,

3. AAC
The field or area of clinical/educational practice to improve the communivcation skills of indidiviuals with little or no functional speech.
Lloyd, Fuller & Arvidson (1997)
March,

4. What is Assistive Technology?
Lloyd, Fuller & Arvidson (1997)
Any technology used to enable individuals to perform tasks that are difficult or impossible due to disabilities.
Cook & Hussey (2002)
Broad range of devices, services, strategies and practices that are conceived and applied to ameliorate the problems faced by individuals who have disabilities.
March,

5. Low Tech Lloyd, Fuller & Arvidson (1997)
Any electronic or non-electronic device that does not use a computer chip or integrated circuit.
March,

6. What are some low-tech devices used in AAC?
Communication boards (story or song)
March,

7. What are some low-tech devices used in AAC?
Communication boards (snack)
March,

8. What are some low-tech devices used in AAC?
Symbols
Blissymbols or Blissymbolics:
Graphical language that is currently composed of over 3,000 symbols. Bliss-characters can be combined and recombined in endless ways to create new symbols. Simple shapes are used to keep the symbols easy and fast to draw (Blissymbolics Communication International).
March,

9. What are some low-tech devices used in AAC?
Symbols
Picture Communication Symbols:
A widely used system of more than 3,000 clear, simply line drawings that are available in several different language (Beukelman & Mirenda, 1999)
March,

10. What are some low-tech devices used in AAC?
Symbols
Minspeak
Semantic Compaction Systems (SCS) is named for a patented language representation technique whose commercial name is MINSPEAK® brand systems. The technique exploits the multi-meaningness of pictures (Prentke Romich International). + =
Green
Hospital
March,

11. What are some low-tech devices used in AAC?
Switches
Big-Mac
Record any message directly into this powerful single message tool and press its large activation surface for crystal-clear, single message playback.
Jelly Bean
Considered a standard in the industry. Is a 2 1/2-inch activation surface and is recommended for students who can access a smaller target area.
March,

12. What are some low-tech devices used in AAC?
Switches
Step-by-Step:
75 seconds of recording time, you can records as many messages as you need. Students are empowereed with the ability to communicate and participate more naturally.
March,

13. High Tech Lloyd, Fuller &Arvidson (1997)
Technology that uses a computer chip or integrated circuit.
March,

14. Devices (SGD) Chatbox (Saltillo Corporation)
The ChatBox is a communication aid for nonspeaking individuals. It can be operated via its own keyboard or an external switch.
Features include 10 minutes of digitized speech and simple operation.
A MinSpeak vocabulary program is available for ChatBox.
March,

15. Devices (SGD) Mobile ChatPC (Saltillo Corporation)
A powerful dynamic screen communication devices. Built upon a powerful PocketPC computer, ChatPC offers a brilliant, color dynamic display along with both synthesized and digitized speech output. 
March,

16. Devices (SGD) Pathfinder (Prentke Romich Co.)
Pathfinder is communications tool that features both a static keyboard plus a color dynamic display for augmentative communication solutions. It comes already set up with vocabulary, pictures, (Unity 128) computer keyboard emulation and infrared controls.
March,

17. Devices (SGD) SpringBoard (Prentke Romich Co.)
An excellent starting point for the child or adult just beginning the augmentative communication process. SpringBoard can also be the next step for someone who has demonstrated success with manual communication boards or static display devices with limited message capacity.
March,

18. Devices (SGD) Vantage (Prentke Romich Co.)
Vantage is the dynamic choice for powerful language and portable design. The enhanced operating system makes Vantage easy to customize and support. Vantage includes 4,8 and 15 location display options, plus the 45 and 84 location Unity Enhanced vocabulary .
March,

19. Devices (SGD) Speaking Dynamically Pro (Mayer-Johnson Inc.)
Speaking Dynamically Pro is tool for creating talking, interactive activities and customized communication boards.
It is for users of all ages, any access method, and all ability levels.
It reinforces curriculum concepts. Create interactive books, writing activities, social stories, schedules, theme- based units and more.
March,

20. Devices (SGD) Series 4: DV4 & MT4 (DynaVox Technologies)
Word, character and recency prediction, abbreviation expansion and flexible abbreviation expansion increase the speed of communication for augmentative communicators at every level.
Gateway Series 4: Appropriate for augmented communicators ranging from pre-literate toddlers to high-functioning adults, Gateway focuses on language development, syntactical performance and spontaneous conversation.
March,

21. Devices (SGD) Dynamo (DynaVox Technology)
Augmented communicators of all cognitive and physical abilities will find that creating messages on the Dynamo is quick and easy. A dynamic display combined with the ability to record up to 25 minutes of speech, gives individuals with significant speech, language and learning disabilities quick and easy access to abundant vocabulary.

22. How do we determine which SGD to select?
Communication modes, needs, partners and environment
Fine and gross motor capabilities
Cognitive abilities
Language comprehension and expression
Sensory needs
Academic and literacy abilities
Mobility
Future needs
March,

23. Client #1 Description 7 years-old Cerebral Palsy
Special Education classroom
Non-Ambulatory (manual wheelchair)
No functional speech
Great sense of humor
March,

24. Client #1 Activity Classroom activity: Calendar Date Weather Song
Helpers
Numbers
Snack
March,

25. Client #2 Description 6 years-old Dandy Walker Syndrome Fully included
Congenital malformation of the brain that involves the maldevelopment of the cerebellum (hindbrain), associated with a cystic enlargement of this area, and frequently hydrocephalus (involves the fourth ventricle
Fully included
Full time one-on-one paraprofessional (2)
Ambulatory
Wide gait
Overall fine and gross motor difficulties
Uses gestures, some manual signs and some vocalization
March,

26. Client #2 Activity Classroom activity: Morning opening
Date, day, month, year
Weather
Season
Total numbers of day in school
Numbers (counting by one, two and five)
Time
Money
Specials
Worksheets (math, rhyming)
March,

27. Activities
1. In groups decide what message you would use or create for the specific assigned student, decide where and how you will offer the student the possibility to participate in the specific activity. In class
March,

28. Activities
2. Make a list of specific characteristics or features that you think may be important when determining which device should be use with this student (pros and cons within your activity). In class
You have approximately 15 minutes to complete activity #1 and #2.
You will present your results to the class.
Prepare at the most a 5-minute presentation
March,