week 9 Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?
AAC is any communication strategy used by people with significant difficulties speaking, including speech production, expressive and/or receptive language issues.
Who defines AAC as “any type of communication strategy for people with a range of conditions who have significant difficulties speaking”?
Speech Pathology Australia.
What are the two main categories of AAC?
Aided and unaided AAC.
What is unaided AAC?
Communication without external tools, using the body (e.g., gestures, body language, sign language, Key Word Sign).
What is aided AAC?
Communication using equipment, ranging from low-tech (e.g., picture boards) to high-tech (e.g., speech generating devices).
Low-Tech AAC Tools
Name three low-tech AAC tools.
A6: Alphabet boards, communication books, eye-gaze charts.
Q7: What is a communication guide?
A7: A resource used by communication partners that describes the person’s background, preferences, and communication needs.
Q8: Give two examples of communication guides.
A8: About Me books and Personal Communication Dictionaries.
Why AAC Matters
Without effective communication, people face barriers to:
* Education
* Employment
* Social interaction
* Health and wellbeing
* Safety
AAC bridges these gaps and supports people across various communication abilities and life stages.
Key Considerations When Designing AAC
AAC design is person-centred and team-based. Important factors include:
* Communication goals and competence (linguistic, operational, social, strategic)
* Cognitive development stage
* Physical, visual, and auditory abilities
* Environmental supports
AAC team members may include:
* The communicator (most essential)
* Family, peers, speech pathologists, OTs, educators, audiologists, psychologists, and rehab engineers
Choosing an AAC System: Feature Matching
- Assess communication needs: what, when, where, how, and why a person communicates
- Match AAC system features to the individual’s needs
- Trial systems to find the best fit
AAC for Different Developmental Stages
Unintentional Communicators:
* Use single-message devices or real-object boards to build cause-effect understanding
* Use communication partner aids (e.g., about-me books)
Intentional Informal Communicators:
* Use real-object + picture symbol pairing to develop symbolic understanding
Intentional Formal Communicators:
* Use symbolic systems (e.g. picture cards, written words, or icons)
Must consider cognitive ability, literacy, vision, and physical access
Access and Navigation
People may access AAC through:
* Touch (finger, toe, elbow, nose)
* Head stick or laser pointer
* Eye-gaze boards or electronic systems
* Switches (e.g., toe, cheek muscles)
* Partner-assisted or auditory scanning
Navigation must be intuitive to avoid frustration—too many symbols or cluttered pages can make communication inefficient.
Transferability and Usability
- Unaided AAC (e.g., sign language) is flexible but not easily understood by unfamiliar partners
- Aided AAC (e.g., symbol boards, devices) is more widely understood but may be limited by context, fragility, or technology
Key Principle: Provide a mix of high-tech, low-tech, and unaided options for flexibility across settings.
- Aided AAC (e.g., symbol boards, devices) is more widely understood but may be limited by context, fragility, or technology
Meeting Communication Needs
Based on Light’s (1988) functions of communication:
1. Wants/needs – often prioritized
2. Information transfer – diaries, photos
3. Social closeness – descriptive vocab (e.g., “cool,” “yuck”)
4. Etiquette – greetings and polite expressions
Include all types to promote participation and a social presence.
Building Communication Capacity
To reduce AAC system abandonment, ensure it is:
* Funded (device cost, repairs, training)
* Trained (user and partners learn how to use it)
* Available (across all settings)
* Maintained (charged, clean, working)
* Updated (language reflects user’s needs)
Addressing Barriers (Biopsychosocial Model)
- Impairment level: support language, physical access, or literacy
- Personal level: motivation, confidence, social connection
- Environmental level:
○ Policy (e.g., school limits use)
○ Attitudes (e.g., caregivers not using system)
○ Knowledge (e.g., professionals needing training)
Partner training is key—tailor it to family, carers, and community to support communication access.
What are visual resources used for in AAC?
To support comprehension of spoken language and social rules.
Name three types of visual resources.
Social stories, visual schedules, and first-then boards.
What are communication boards used for?
To help individuals express wants, needs, thoughts, and emotions.
