1. Spontaneous Communication Using Core Vocabulary

2. A software program Only available within Liberator/PRC devices A way to organise language with the goal of generative communication What is

3. Unity uses a small set of pictures combined in short sequences to produce words, phrases, and sentences Pictures are combined with a consistent set of rules Unity focuses on high frequency vocabulary. Contains both core and fringe words What is

4. The location for a core word is always in the same place The most frequently used core words are always available on the first screen Created to both follow and enable the typical language development process Promotes spontaneous speech

5. Unity 60 Sequenced core = 2,000 + words (includes derivatives) activities = 2,000 + words pages = 2,500 + words Unity 84 Sequenced core = 3,000 + words (includes derivatives) activities = 3,000 + words pages = 700 + words Unity 144 Sequenced core = 7,000 + words (includes derivatives) activities = 2,000 + words pages = 300 + words

6. Spelling with Word Prediction Single-Meaning/Page-based Systems Multi-Meaning Icons Language Representation

7. Alphabet Based Systems Spelling one letter at a time –Simple concept –Requires spelling skills –Slow – keystroke intensive Rate enhancements –Abbreviation expansion Memory conflicts, letter conflicts –Word Prediction Not a rate enhancement (counter intuitive) Distracting

8. Each word requires a picture Easy concept to understand Most words are not picture producers –Requires training (Try to use without words.) Each picture means one word –Not natural (Romski & Sevcik) Severe organizational issues –(Three year olds have a vocabulary of over 1,000 words.) Single meaning pictures

9. Master Page (Environments, Topics & Categories) Communication Pages Special Vocabulary Page Circle Time Clothes Trips to: Dr. Office Cinema Beach Zoo Zoo Animals Manual Page-based systems

10. Master Page (Environments, Topics & Categories) Circle Time Getting Dressed Days of Week/ Months of Year WeatherWinter Clothes Activities Dressy / Church Zoo Dr. Office Zoo Animals Movies Zoo Food Reptiles Grocery Store Airplane Hospital Birthdays School Bus Months by……

11. The student indicates a wide range of emotions and preferences in response to teachers and family through gestures and facial expressions, but rarely communicates beyond this circle Initial trial on a multi-page system encourages expectations for independent communication After a short time, the vocabulary becomes too limiting More vocabulary pages are added with great care Searching for words across multiple pages is hard and confusing to the student. Her staff decides to do more whole-utterance programming The student is unable to navigate independently to and back from environment and activity pages to find needed vocabulary To avoid navigation, more specialized pages are added – defeating the development of motor planning New pages, designed and implemented daily or weekly, require the continuous participation of therapists, parents, teachers and aides Engineered participation in activities replaces conversational use of the device The speech generating device is less and less viewed as a tool for broad-range, independent communication The Navigation Maze Use of the communication aid is deemed successful though it is used only to retrieve pre-stored responses in engineered situations The student’s good pragmatics leads the staff to believe she could use a speech generating device to communicate more independently and with a broader range of people

12. Spelling and Word Prediction Single-meaning icons Multi-meaning icons A finite set of multi-meaning icons Combined in short 2-3 hit sequences To quickly access a large CORE and FRINGE vocabulary Unity has all 3 LRM’s

13. Sentences Phrases Words Letters How are you? I need want Effective communication requires A b c

14. want have do am is a about up down cylinder scaffolding Jupiter hibernate Paul Revere who All words are not equal

15. Core vs. Fringe want have do am is a about up down cylinder Jupiter hibernate Paul Revere who scaffolding

16. Generative Language is Based on Core Words 80% of what we say throughout a day comes from a small bank of 400-500 CORE words 20% of what we say comes from a bank of thousands of FRINGE words Vanderheiden & Kelso (1987)

17. Core small number of words used for most messages usable across many situations applicable to children and adults Fringe/Activity-Specific large, huge number of words mostly nouns infrequently used Example Can we go to Starbucks © to get a latte?

18. Toddler Vocabulary Arranged by Frequency Twenty-six core words shown here comprise 96.3% of the total words used by toddlers. How many of these words are commonly seen on language boards?

19. Frequently used words yesno thank youplease okay whatwhen wherewho whyhow allmore biglittle hotcold samedifferent pretty newold rightwrong Ime you heshe itwe they Interjections Question Words Adjectives Pronouns

20. Useful wordlists Stuart Beukelman & King (1997) Marvin Beukleman (1994) Katya Hill (2001) Banajee, Dicarlo and Stricklin (2003) Sue Baladin (1999) liberatorsupport.com – click CORE VOCABULARY WORDLIST

21. Referential language model How many of you do this?

22. Referential language model Responses require specific fringe vocabulary Temporary vocabulary Labour intensive Fails to provide for independent communication Referential language model

23. Descriptive language model It, is, and, big, little, hot, cold, near, far

24. Responses require high frequency (core) vocabulary Requires use of permanent vocabulary Less labour intensive Enables independent communication Descriptive language model

25. Language Models Referential vs Descriptive Sun The target word is referential It is big and hot The question is re-phrased using the target word, this allows a descriptive response It is important to understand the meaning of referential vocabulary but it is not necessary to store these words in a device and have to learn and remember where they are. The descriptive language model allows the user to demonstrate understanding and gives a teacher better feedback about progress and comprehension. Referential approachDescriptive approach Tell me something about the Sun. What planet is this?

26. What is an Anaphoric word

27. Anaphoric word A pronoun or similar word Used instead of repeating a word used earlier I bought a new phone, IT is brilliant. I am off to London, I’ll call YOU when I get there. We went out to dinner last night, I had steak, IT was delicious. I like playing games on my Ipad, I think I will download ONE

28. Where to find CORE and FRINGE… Core Activity Row- Fringe status bar

29. Available in Liberator devices Masks/Hides all words except the ones you choose Allows you to start on a large vocabulary with much of it masked and grow over time Masking allows for keeping learned motor plans consistent Eliminates transition issues from one vocabulary program to another Vocabulary Builder

30. A variety of lists of words are already stored in the Vantage-Lite. Liberator also provides a number of pre- designed vocabulary lists that are commonly used or found in the AAC field. They have been created in TXT format so can be imported easily into the Vantage-Lite.

31. Wordlist menu

32. Computer emulation software

33. Visit the Liberator on the web: WWW.LIBERATOR.CO.UK Liberator website

34. Other useful websites www.liberator.co.uk www.liberatorsupport.com www.aaclanguagelab.com www.aacandautism.com www.communicationmatters.org Please contact us on: Tel: 01733 370 470