Assessment

AAC Assessment is holistic.Student’s abilities

Current communication system – all modalities

Receptive languagePhysical abilities Preferences Literacy

Communication environments—home, school, work, leisure

Communication partners—WE NEED THEM!They have information about the

student.They will be supporting the

student’s current and future communication systems.

Barriers to communicationInternal—speech and physical

impairments, cognitive impairments, learned helplessness, fear of failure

External In the physical world In the attitudes and unexamined

beliefs of other people

Background InformationMedical DiagnosisVision

AcuityCortical Vision

ImpairmentHearing

History of middle ear infections

Languages spoken at home

Life DomainsHome

Family membersLanguages spoken by relatives

SchoolProjects and homeworkExtracurricular activities

Leisure activity settings:Travel?Outdoor activities?Religious activities?

Motor SkillsGross Motor

Walks Independently? Walker? Crutches? Can carry device?

Uses a wheelchair Manual: self propelled or partner propelled? Power chair? Mounting?

Fine MotorCan the student

Write?Draw?Point with an isolated finger?Use a standard keyboard?Point with the whole hand or fist?Use a pointer?Use eye gaze to point?

Size of targets Spacing of targets

Current Communication SystemReceptive LanguageCan the student understand

the speech of others?Can she follow directions

without gestural or contextual cues?

Does he follow directions with gestural or contextual cues?

Has she completed any formal language assessment?

Speech & LanguageUnaided Expressive

LanguageSpoken words or word

approximations Intelligibility in context?

With familiar listeners With unfamiliar listeners

Intelligibility when the topic is unknown? With familiar listeners With unfamiliar listeners

Speech & LanguageExpressive Language (cont.)

Manual signs Intelligible to unfamiliar communication partners

who know basic signs? Intelligible to unfamiliar communication partners?

Pre-symbolic communicationVocalizationsGesturesFacial ExpressionsMuscle tone

ALL Behavior is CommunicationTantrumsMeltdownsSelf injurious behaviors

What is the message?I don’t want this. I want that.I’m overwhelmed. I need a break.I’m frustrated, angry, confused…

Written Language—the best AAC system ever!

Reading skills

Writing & spelling skills

Feature MatchingIdentifying the client’s strengths or

needsMatching them to the features available

in various AAC tools:Language representation:

Text to speech (with or without word prediction)

Picture symbols—PCSs, Wigit symbols, Pictographs, Symbol Stix, Pixons, Bliss Symbols

Photographs Braille, Morse Code

Access method: eye control, touch screen, single switch, two switches

Accessories: mounting system, pointer, key guard, sun shield, carrying case

Assessment ToolsOnline and FREE!!!

Pragmatic Profile http://

complexneeds.org.uk/modules/Module-2.4-Assessment-monitoring-and-evaluation/All/downloads/m08p080c/the_pragmatics_profile.pdf

Communication Matrix https://www.communicationmatrix

.org/

Assessment ToolsAPPS

AAC Communication Genie https://

itunes.apple.com/us/app/aac-evaluation-genie/id541418407?mt=8

Receptive Language with Splingo

AAC Assessment Tools for PurchaseBlackstone, S., & Hunt Berg, M. (2012). Social

Networks: A Communication Inventory for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs and Their Communication Partners. Verona, WI: Attainment.

Bloomberg, K., West, D., Johnson, H., & Iacono, T.  (2009).  Triple C Manual and Checklists, Revised. SCOPE: Victoria.

Bruno, J. (2010). Test of Aided-Communication Symbol Performance. Pittsburgh, PA: Dynavox Mayer Johnson.

Kleiman, L. (2003).  Functional Communication Profile, Revised. East Moline, IL: LinguiSystems

Kovach, T.M. (2009). AAC Profile: A Continuum of Learning.  East Moline, IL: LinguiSystems.

Features: Speech OutputSynthesized speech

Allows users to generate unique spoken messages

Appropriate to user’s age, gender and (in many cases) ethnicity

Delivered at consistent pace and volume Doesn’t sound like a real person

Digitized speech• Each message is recorded individually• Great for singing Happy Birthday,

telling jokes, making animal noises and vocal interjections (Ahem! Ha! Doh!)

• Not consistent, rarely age and gender appropriate.

Features: No Speech OutputTechnology free means:You can drop it, throw it, get it wet! Never needs

recharging! Sometimes users get more social attention and face to

face interaction with tech free modes.PECS—Picture Exchange Communication SystemCommunication bookEye gaze board

Alphabetic Encoded w/ auditory scanning

Picture based

Access: Switch AccessScanning methods:

Automatic scanning Step scanning (with one or two

switches) Inverse scanning Row column, sequential (linear),

rotary, block, otherScanning mode—auditory,

visualType of switch—button style,

wafer, sip and puff, pillow, squeeze, proximity, motion sensing

Switch access point—hand, head, chin, foot….

Access: Alternative PointersStylus

Hand held Head Foot

Pointing Device Trackball Joystick Footmouse

Access: Head Tracking (Gesture Tracking)

Camera tracks head or other body movementsClick can be staying still or switch activationRequires head control (which requires some

postural control)

Access: Eye Gaze Tracking

Infrared light reflects off the pupils and is tracked by one or two cameras

Click is by dwell or switch

Accessories