Introduction to AAC

Augmentative and Alternative Communication January 23 rd 2009

Communication is…..
Multi-modal , that is:
Speech/Vocalisation
Writing
Gesture
Facial Expression
Signing
Synthesised Speech
Body Language

4 main purposes are fulfilled in communicative interactions
Communication of needs and wants
Information transfer
Social closeness
Social etiquette

Augmentative and Alternative Communication
“a set of procedures and processes by which an individual's communication skills (i.e. production as well as comprehension) can be maximised for functional and effective communication”.
American Speech and Hearing Association

AAC
It involves supplementing or replacing natural speech and/or writing with
aided (e.g. picture communication symbols, line drawings, Blissymbols, and tangible objects)
and/or unaided symbols (e.g. manual signs, gestures, and finger spelling)....

Regardless of the mode(s) selected, AAC involves the utilization of symbols e.g.
single meaning pictures,
alphabet-based methods, and
semantic compaction
to represent individual‘s communication intents

Symbols can be classified as:
aided or unaided
acoustic/graphic/manual/tactile
static/dynamic
iconicity/opaqueness

The ultimate goal of introducing an AAC system is….
not to find a technology solution to the communication difficulty, but to enable the individual to efficiently and effectively engage in a variety of interactions.

Who uses AAC?
Adults and children, whose speech alone is not adequate to support communication with all partners in all environments with all types of messages.
From birth i.e. Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Apraxia of speech, learning disabilities etc.
Acquired i.e. Traumatic Brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury
Progressive i.e. M.S., Parkinson’s etc.

A person’s use of an AAC system
Should be evaluated in tandem with other assistive technology requirements
Should utilise the optimal method of access if one is already identified
Should ‘fit’ with expectations of communication
Should always facilitate communication

Classification of AAC
Aided or unaided
No tech/ low tech /high tech
Symbols: pictures/text
Language: levels/predictive text/ Minspeak
Portability: hand held/ mounted
Output: synthetic (computerised)/ recorded speech/written
Input: direct/indirect
Flexibility: dedicated/open

Communicative competence
Light (1995) identified 4 key components which impact on individuals who are working towards being competent communicators:
Linguistic competence
Operational competence
Social competence
Strategic competence

Linguistic Competence
Provision of appropriate and sufficient information
Unambiguous communication
Efficient communication

Operational competence
Technical operation of the AAC device
Physical access and control
Ease of operation

Social Competence
Access to a range of partners
Access to a range of contexts

Strategic competence
“ Managing” conversations: taking and yielding turns
Repair of misunderstandings
Selection of appropriate modes
Undertaking a range of communicative functions: requesting, responding, commanding

Communication is….
All of the aforementioned
But also depends on:
Partner support
Facilitation of the AAC user is central to developing successful communication skills

Low tech Communication Devices

Dedicated Communication Devices

Open communication devices

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Introduction to AAC

by DaveBanesAccess on Nov 19, 2009

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Introduction to AAC — Presentation Transcript