4800 1 5B1 5D ppt 20AAC

							       CDS 4800
     Communication
       Modalities



“Personal achievement in life is
  a function of the ability to
        communicate.”
Introduction to AAC
     What is AAC?
• AAC = Augmentative and Alternative
        Communication
• Refers to ways (other) than speech that
  are used to send a message from one
  person to another
• Types of AAC
        Definitions
• ASHA Definitions
  – AAC - An area of clinical practice that
    attempts to compensate (either temporarily
    or permanently) for the impairment and
    disability patterns of individuals with severe
    expressive communication disorders
  – AAC system – an integrated group of
    components, including symbols, aids,
    strategies and techniques used by
    individuals to enhance communication
Definitions Continued
• Assistive Technology (AT) –




• AAC is a form of AT
    Who uses AAC?
• Anyone who has significant difficulty
  using speech to communicate
• Used by people of all ages and
  disabilities
• Etiology either acquired or congenital
    Benefits of AAC
• Provides an individual a means to
  communicate
• Facilitates _________
• Improves __________________
• Facilitates _________
• Improves self-concept
• Reduces frustration and behaviors
• Increases _____________
    History of AAC
• 1970’s – viewed as legitimate method of
  communication
• P.L. 94-142
• 1980-s – field of specialization
• 1981 – ASHA position paper
• Technology Related Assistance for
  individuals with Disabilities Act
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• IDEA
Service Delivery in AAC
 • Team Approach
 • Areas of service delivery
   –   Awareness of available AT
   –   Assessment
   –   Funding
   –   Technical assistance
   –   Training
   –   Interagency service coordination
   –   Application of AAC systems
   –   Transitional Services
   –   Ongoing technical assistance
   –   AAC system maintenance
Settings for AAC Service Delivery
    •   Home
    •   Community
    •   Educational
    •   Vocational
    •   Transitional
    •   Medical Environments
AAC Systems


ALL AAC systems are comprised
   of some type of symbols.
               &
 AAC systems are classified a
        variety of ways
             Symbols
• Definition – “something that stands for
  something else” ( Anderheiden & Yoder, 1986, pg. 15)
• Characteristics:
   – Iconicity
      1.
      2.
      3.
   – Aided VS. Unaided
Unaided Communication Methods
    • Gestures
    • Body language
    • Vocalizations   Symbol _____



    • Sign language
    • Speech          Symbol ______
Aided Communicaton
• Requires the use of tools or equipment
  in addition to the user’s body
• AAC systems can be classified
  according to…
Aided Communication Systems
         Technology
   •   No tech systems
   •   Low tech systems
   •   Mid tech systems.
   •   High tech systems
Features of High Tech Devices
  •   Portability
  •   Number and configuration of keys
  •   Feedback after selecting
  •   Method of storing and receiving
  •   Display
      – Fixed
      – Dynamic
      – Hybrid (combination of the two)
     Fixed Display
• The symbols and items on the board
  are fixed in a particular location
• Number of symbols
• Limitations
• Levels
• Encoding Strategies
  Dynamic Display
• Screen is constantly changing
• Two Types
  1.
  2.
       Output Methods
• Reduces the demands placed on the
  listener
• Two types
  1.
  2.
Spoken Output Modes
• Digitized Speech


• Synthesized Speech


• Text to speech synthesis
Printed Output Modes
• Combines printed and spoken, usually
  seen in devices that have letter spelling
  capabilities
• Paper printing
• LED/LCD Screen
Language Representation Method
    •   Single meaning
    •   Icons
    •   Orthography
    •   Hybrid (combination)
Single Meaning Symbol
    Representation
•    Aided symbols provide mean for
     message formulation with low tech
     communication boards and are used
     to represent programmed messages
•    Symbol Hierarchy
    1.
    2.
    3.
    4.
    5.
    6.
             Icons
• Icons are picture producers that take on
  multiple meanings
• Displays can contain less pictures but
  more messages
      Orthography
• Uses the alphabet to construct
  messages
      Conclusion

“Most nonspeaking persons rely on
 multiple modalities of
 communication that combine several
 aided and unaided methods
 together”