Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. Unit Eleven Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Unit Eleven

Augmentative and

Alternative Communication


Chapter 44

People Who May Use

Augmentative and Alternative

Communication Systems


3

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

• Any approach designed to support, enhance or supplement the communication of people who are not able to communicate verbally in all situations


4

Criteria for AAC Use

• Only criteria for candidacy for use of an AAC system is whether a person wants or needs such a device


5

AAC Systems

• Electronic

• Nonelectronic


6

Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities

• Cerebral palsy

• Intellectual disabilities

• Autism


7

Cerebral Palsy

• Developmental neuromuscular disorder

• All speech systems may be involved

• Team approach required to develop most functional AAC system


8

Cerebral Palsy

• A “balanced approach” is needed for the communication program

• AAC needs must be balanced with:– Motor development training– Academic instruction– Speech therapy


9

Intellectual Disabilities

• Many clients with intellectual disabilities do not use speech

• Carefully designed AAC systems may be an efficient and effective means of communication


10

Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Therapy programs include:– Functional, spontaneous communication

with speech or AAC– Social and play skills– Cognitive development– Behavior support and academic skills


11

Childhood Apraxia

• AAC therapy is augmentative

• AAC systems may be used until children are able to communicate sufficiently orally


12

Adults with Acquired Communication Disorders

• Many adults with acquired impairments or progressive diseases can benefit from AAC:– Aphasia– Apraxia and dysarthria– TBI– Locked-in syndrome


Chapter 45

Assessment and

Augmentative and Alternative

Communication Systems


14

Goals of AAC

• Communicate messages in conversations

• Participate in daily life

• Establish/maintain social roles

• Meet personal needs


15

Principles of AAC Assessment

• Team approach is required

• Client is the “captain” of the team


16

Assessment of Capabilities

• Positioning and seating

• Neuromotor impairments

• Motor capabilities

• Sensory and perceptual abilities

• Communication and cognitive abilities

• Symbols

• Literacy skills


17

Communication Boards

• A device or board on which symbols and messages are represented

• Can be low-tech or sophisticated

• Basic boards will contain the alphabet, numbers, key words


18

Symbols

• Photographs and illustrations

• Picture Communication Symbols ©

• Rebus symbols

• DynaSyms

• Blissymbolics


19

Factors that Influence AAC Message Selection

• Gender and age

• Preliterate/literate

• Time-sensitive messages

• Fatigue reduction

• Organization of semantic categories


20

Two Selection Techniques

• Direct select– Most people directly point or touch the symbol

to indicate a message

• Scanning– Board is activated and when desired symbol

is highlighted– Person indicates symbol has been selected


21

Additional Challenges of AAC

• Functional use of AAC in everyday situations is still limited

• Use of AAC varies across different settings

• Almost one-third of purchased devices are abandoned


22

Additional Challenges of AAC

• AAC users need to have a variety of people to communicate with and topics to talk about

• Some communication partners may not be positive about the AAC device

Documents

Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. Unit Eleven Augmentative and Alternative Communication