+

AAC & AT

+AAC

The supplementation or replacemnet of natural speech and/or writing using aided and/or unaided symbols. Aided symbols:

Tangible symbols, PCS, Pictographs, Blissymbols

Unaided symbols: Manual signs, gestures, fingerspelling

March, 7-2006

Lloyd, Fuller & Arvidson (1997)

+AAC

The field or area of clinical/educational practice to improve the communivcation skills of indidiviuals with little or no functional speech.

March, 7-2006

Lloyd, Fuller & Arvidson (1997)

+ What is Assistive Technology?

Lloyd, Fuller & Arvidson (1997) Any technology used to enable individuals to perform tasks

that are difficult or impossible due to disabilities.

Cook & Hussey (2002) Broad range of devices, services, strategies and practices

that are conceived and applied to ameliorate the problems faced by individuals who have disabilities.

March, 7-2006

+Low Tech

Lloyd, Fuller & Arvidson (1997) Any electronic or non-electronic device that does not use a

computer chip or integrated circuit.

March, 7-2006

+What are some low-tech

devices used in AAC?Communication boards (story or song)

March, 7-2006

+What are some low-tech

devices used in AAC?

Communication boards (snack)

March, 7-2006

+What are some low-tech

devices used in AAC?Symbols

Blissymbols or Blissymbolics: Graphical language that is currently composed of over

3,000 symbols. Bliss-characters can be combined and recombined in endless ways to create new symbols. Simple shapes are used to keep the symbols easy and fast to draw (Blissymbolics Communication International).

March, 7-2006

+What are some low-tech

devices used in AAC?

Symbols Picture Communication Symbols:

A widely used system of more than 3,000 clear, simply line drawings that are available in several different language (Beukelman & Mirenda, 1999)

March, 7-2006

+What are some low-tech

devices used in AAC?

Symbols Minspeak

Semantic Compaction Systems (SCS) is named for a patented language representation technique whose commercial name is MINSPEAK® brand systems. The technique exploits the multi-meaningness of pictures (Prentke Romich International).

March, 7-2006

+ = Green

+ = Hospital

+What are some low-tech

devices used in AAC?

Switches Big-Mac

Record any message directly into this powerful single message tool and press its large activation surface for crystal-clear, single message playback.

Jelly Bean Considered a standard in the industry. Is a 2 1/2-inch

activation surface and is recommended for students who can access a smaller target area.

March, 7-2006

+What are some low-tech

devices used in AAC?

Switches Step-by-Step:

75 seconds of recording time, you can records as many messages as you need. Students are empowereed with the ability to communicate and participate more naturally.

March, 7-2006

+High Tech

Lloyd, Fuller &Arvidson (1997) Technology that uses a computer chip or integrated circuit.

March, 7-2006

+Devices (SGD)

Chatbox (Saltillo Corporation) The ChatBox is a communication aid for

nonspeaking individuals. It can be operated via its own keyboard or an external switch.

Features include 10 minutes of digitized speech and simple operation.

A MinSpeak vocabulary program is available for ChatBox.

March, 7-2006

+Devices (SGD)

Mobile ChatPC (Saltillo Corporation) A powerful dynamic screen communication

devices. Built upon a powerful PocketPC computer, ChatPC offers a brilliant, color dynamic display along with both synthesized and digitized speech output. 

March, 7-2006

+Devices (SGD)

Pathfinder (Prentke Romich Co.) Pathfinder is communications tool that

features both a static keyboard plus a color dynamic display for augmentative communication solutions. It comes already set up with vocabulary, pictures, (Unity 128) computer keyboard emulation and infrared controls.

March, 7-2006

+Devices (SGD)

SpringBoard (Prentke Romich Co.) An excellent starting point for the child or

adult just beginning the augmentative communication process. SpringBoard can also be the next step for someone who has demonstrated success with manual communication boards or static display devices with limited message capacity.

March, 7-2006

+Devices (SGD)

Vantage (Prentke Romich Co.) Vantage is the dynamic choice for powerful

language and portable design. The enhanced operating system makes Vantage easy to customize and support. Vantage includes 4,8 and 15 location display options, plus the 45 and 84 location Unity Enhanced vocabulary .

March, 7-2006

+Devices (SGD)

Speaking Dynamically Pro (Mayer-Johnson Inc.) Speaking Dynamically Pro is tool for creating

talking, interactive activities and customized communication boards.

It is for users of all ages, any access method, and all ability levels.

It reinforces curriculum concepts. Create interactive books, writing activities, social stories, schedules, theme-based units and more.

March, 7-2006

+Devices (SGD)

Series 4: DV4 & MT4 (DynaVox Technologies) Word, character and recency prediction,

abbreviation expansion and flexible abbreviation expansion increase the speed of communication for augmentative communicators at every level.

March, 7-2006

Gateway Series 4: Appropriate for augmented communicators ranging from pre-literate toddlers to high-functioning adults, Gateway focuses on language development, syntactical performance and spontaneous conversation.

+Devices (SGD)

Dynamo (DynaVox Technology) Augmented communicators of all cognitive

and physical abilities will find that creating messages on the Dynamo is quick and easy. A dynamic display combined with the ability to record up to 25 minutes of speech, gives individuals with significant speech, language and learning disabilities quick and easy access to abundant vocabulary.

+How do we determine which

SGD to select? Communication modes, needs, partners and

environment

Fine and gross motor capabilities

Cognitive abilities

Language comprehension and expression

Sensory needs

Academic and literacy abilities

Mobility

Future needs March, 7-2006

+Client #1Description

7 years-old

Cerebral Palsy

Special Education classroom

Non-Ambulatory (manual wheelchair)

No functional speech

Great sense of humor

March, 7-2006

+Client #1Activity

Classroom activity: Calendar Date Weather Song Helpers Numbers Snack

March, 7-2006

+Client #2Description

6 years-old

Dandy Walker Syndrome Congenital malformation of the brain that involves the

maldevelopment of the cerebellum (hindbrain), associated with a cystic enlargement of this area, and frequently hydrocephalus (involves the fourth ventricle

Fully included

Full time one-on-one paraprofessional (2)

Ambulatory Wide gait Overall fine and gross motor difficulties

Uses gestures, some manual signs and some vocalization

March, 7-2006

+Client #2Activity

Classroom activity: Morning opening Date, day, month, year Weather Season Total numbers of day in school Numbers (counting by one, two and five) Time Money Specials Worksheets (math, rhyming)

March, 7-2006

+Activities

1. In groups decide what message you would use or create for the specific assigned student, decide where and how you will offer the student the possibility to participate in the specific activity.

In class

March, 7-2006

+Activities

2. Make a list of specific characteristics or features that you think may be important when determining which device should be use with this student (pros and cons within your activity). In class

March, 7-2006

You have approximately 15 minutes to complete activity #1

and #2.You will present your results to

the class.Prepare at the most a 5-minute

presentation