Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. Unit Eleven Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. Chapter 44 People Who May Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 3 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Any approach designed to support, enhance or supplement the communication of people who are not able to communicate verbally in all situations
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 4 Criteria for AAC Use Only criteria for candidacy for use of an AAC system is whether a person wants or needs such a device
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 5 AAC Systems Electronic Nonelectronic
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 6 Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities Cerebral palsy Intellectual disabilities Autism
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 7 Cerebral Palsy Developmental neuromuscular disorder All speech systems may be involved Team approach required to develop most functional AAC system
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 8 Cerebral Palsy A “balanced approach” is needed for the communication program AAC needs must be balanced with: –Motor development training –Academic instruction –Speech therapy
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 9 Intellectual Disabilities Many clients with intellectual disabilities do not use speech Carefully designed AAC systems may be an efficient and effective means of communication
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 10 Autism Spectrum Disorders Therapy programs include: –Functional, spontaneous communication with speech or AAC –Social and play skills –Cognitive development –Behavior support and academic skills
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 11 Childhood Apraxia AAC therapy is augmentative AAC systems may be used until children are able to communicate sufficiently orally
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 12 Adults with Acquired Communication Disorders Many adults with acquired impairments or progressive diseases can benefit from AAC: –Aphasia –Apraxia and dysarthria –TBI –Locked-in syndrome
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. Chapter 45 Assessment and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 14 Goals of AAC Communicate messages in conversations Participate in daily life Establish/maintain social roles Meet personal needs
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 15 Principles of AAC Assessment Team approach is required Client is the “captain” of the team
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 16 Assessment of Capabilities Positioning and seating Neuromotor impairments Motor capabilities Sensory and perceptual abilities Communication and cognitive abilities Symbols Literacy skills
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 17 Communication Boards A device or board on which symbols and messages are represented Can be low-tech or sophisticated Basic boards will contain the alphabet, numbers, key words
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 18 Symbols Photographs and illustrations Picture Communication Symbols © Rebus symbols DynaSyms Blissymbolics
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 19 Factors that Influence AAC Message Selection Gender and age Preliterate/literate Time-sensitive messages Fatigue reduction Organization of semantic categories
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 20 Two Selection Techniques Direct select –Most people directly point or touch the symbol to indicate a message Scanning –Board is activated and when desired symbol is highlighted –Person indicates symbol has been selected
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 21 Additional Challenges of AAC Functional use of AAC in everyday situations is still limited Use of AAC varies across different settings Almost one-third of purchased devices are abandoned
Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 22 Additional Challenges of AAC AAC users need to have a variety of people to communicate with and topics to talk about Some communication partners may not be positive about the AAC device