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An overview of AAC systems
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AAC SystemsA quick look at the options
AAC Bootcamp
Susan G. Malloy, M.S. CCC-SLP
Object based—often used with people who are deaf and blind and/or have severe to profound cognitive impairments.◦ Real objects are used to represent people, places
and activities. A hat means “We’re going outside.” A jangling keys
means “We’re going for a ride.” Alcohol wipe—”We’re going to the doctor’s office.”
Alphabet puzzle pieces can be used to represent letters.
Tech Free Systems
Tangible symbol systems—used with the same population as above, possibly in combination with real objects. See: Tangible Symbol Systems, designtolearn.com.◦ Concrete not abstract—they bear a physical
relationship to the items they represent.◦ Pieces of objects are used to represent things,
places activities—usually the parts the user is likely to touch.
◦ A shoe lace = shoe These symbols tend to be user-specific.
Tech Free (cont.)
3-D symbols made with a 3-D printer.◦ Turn a PCS or Wigit or other graphic symbol into a
plastic 3-D symbol.◦ Cost about $1.50 to $3.00 apiece
Tech Free (cont.)
1. A system of Augmentative Communication Instruction that begins with a 2:1 staff to client ratio and focuses on teaching mands through intraverbals through a strict ABA methodology.
2. PECS is NOT what picture symbols are called and is NOT any notebook or picture trading system that is in use.
3. Clinicians and partners should be trained by Pyramid Consultants.
4. Misused the system can be overly reliant on mands/nouns and miss opportunities for social closeness and other functions.
PECS:
Developed by Frost and Bondy Target population: Autistic beginning
communicators Teaches users what communication IS.
Focuses on initiation, requesting,and picture discrimination
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
Picture Communication Books
Do Your Own
Organized around core vocabulary
Many category based pages
A few activity based pages for quick communication
PODD Communication BooksDeveloped by Gail Porter Promulgated by Linda Burkhart
Pragmatically organized Partner operated “Dynamic”—many
picture symbols have numbers linking them to a related page.
Many progressive levels from 9 per page to 75 items per 2 pages.
Emphasis on modeling the use of an extensive vocabulary.
Single message voice output devices:◦ Big Mac (AbleNet, Inc.)◦ Little Mac (AbleNet)◦ Go Talk Button(Attainment Co.)◦ Chipper (Adaptivation, Inc.)
Part of a multimodal system.
Useful for:◦ Initiating communication, ◦ Participating in group activities◦ Communicating over a short distance.
Light Tech Devices
Step-by-Step Communicator (AbleNet, Inc.) Sequencer (Adaptivation, Inc.) Create sequences of messages for
predictable conversations, activities Greetings, comments, sound effects. Play Bingo! Give a spelling test. Interview
others. Take a poll.
Sequenced Voice Output Devices
Go Talk 4, 9 and 20 (Attainment Co.) Smart Talk, Smart Scan, Smart Speak
(Turning Point Technology Inexpensive, but limited.FEATURES:Built in key guardsRecorded (digitized) speechMultiple levelsActivated by pressure
Overlay Based Devices
Picture Based
Eye Gaze Boards
Encoded, Text Based Eye Gaze Boards
“Find your letter above.Find it again below.”
Partner identifies color above and letter below.
Dynavox Tobii Prentke Romich Co.
FEATURES: Dynamic screen display Picture and/or text based Fully customizable Some pre-made vocabularies Synthesized speech Access by touch screen, eye gaze, switch(es)
High Tech Dedicated Devices
Language systems Picture symbols—Minspeak/Pixons, PCSs,
Symbol Stix, DynaSyms Pre made vocabulary sets Programming
All can incorporate photographs, all have built in cameras, all offer a variety of keyboard designs with word prediction.
None of them are powerful computers.
Differences in Dynamic Display Devices
Lightwriter, Lightwriter with Big Keys (Tobii Churchill)
Speak Out (Key Technologies) Keyboard Communicator (Turning Point Technologies) Features may include: word prediction,
storage/encoding of frequently used words, abbreviation expansion, dual display.
Keyboard Based Dedicated Devices
Humanware.com (devices) National Center on Deaf Blindness Perkins School for the Blind Texas School for the Blind and Visually
Impaired
Deaf Blind Communication
iPad, iPad Mini, iPod Touch◦ Many communication apps: TouchChat, TouchChat
with Word Power, Proloquo2Go, Proloquo4Text, GoTalk Now, Sono Flex, Tap Speak Sequence, Tap Speak Choice, LAMP Words for Life (Unity), ETC….
Android devices◦ Fewer communication apps: Sono Flex, Talk Tablet
Speech (Gus Communication), Tap to Talk, Alexicom AAC
Mass Market Devices
Access◦ Keyguards and mounting systems are more secure and
stable◦ More reliable, flexible switch access◦ Differences in touch screen sensitivity
Sound◦ Built in speakers are louder◦ Most don’t need to be charged separately
Fewer distractions for the user Less likely to be appropriated by siblings at
home Tech support and repair
Why choose a dedicated device:
From simplest, most concrete
to most complex and abstract
But does the user have to begin at the beginning? NO. When in doubt err on the side of more language, and rule out higher levels of abstraction before moving to the object level.
These systems have been presented a certain order…