Augmentative and Alternative Communication Taylor Cokley

Definitions  Assistive Technology: any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities (Missouri State Plan)  Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): Augmentative and alternative communication is the areas of clinical practice that attempts to compensate (either temporally or permanently) for the impairment and disability patterns of individuals with severe expressive communication disorders (i.e., the severely speech-language and writing impaired) (ASHA).  Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems (AACS): an integrated group of components, including the symbols, aids, strategies, and techniques used by individuals to enhance communication (ASHA).

What is AAC?  Adding to or enhancing communication  May be a different or alternative means of communication  The entire combination is defined as an AAC System

Examples of Assistive Technology  Positioning: specialized seats, modifications to beds, wheel chairs  Self Care: adapting a toothbrush or fork  Environmental Controls: if a person can’t manually lock doors they could have a system that locks them or to start coffee, turn on the radio etc.  Assistive Listening: cochlear implants, H.A., FM Systems, sound field systems, personal application systems  Visual Aids: glasses, enlarged print, reading machines, adaptive screen on the computer  Mobility: crane, crutches, walkers  Physical Education, Leisure and Play: adaptations to what the patient ejoys i.e.) person enjoys fishing there are adaptations to the pole  Computer Access: Modified keyboard system, screen, mouse, alternative access (Dragon Dictator)

AAC Systems  Aid individuals who cannot fully verbally communicate  By allowing the child to communicate the child is able to:  Develop language skills  Decrease frustration  Increase socialization  Allow the child to control environment

Conditions That May Require an Augmentative Communication System  Congenital Conditions  Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Developmental Apraxia, Developmental Aphasia  Acquired Disabilities  Closed Head Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Cerebral Vascular Accident, Laryngectomy, Glossectomy  Progressive Neurological Disease  Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, ALS, Parkinson's Disease  Temporary Conditions  Shock/ Trauma /Surgery, intubation

No-Tech/Low-Tech

Mid Tech

High Tech

Who Benefits?  Individuals who have a severe speech disorder  Help to develop language  Individual who have diagnosis such as ALS

“If you give a child an AAC device he or she will never learn to communicate verbally.”  "Children will use the quickest, most effective, and most accessible way available to them to communicate. Speech beats any other AAC system if it is available to the child. Since AAC includes all communication methods, intervention also addresses improving functional verbal skills. Available research indicates that AAC facilitates spoken language by increasing interaction, language skills, and/or providing a voice output model for speech." (Cynthia J, Cress PhD)

Other Myths about AAC

Examples of AAC devices and systems

Do you have any AAC users or potential users in your class?