1. Navigating your Way through the Device Selection Maze
Debby McBride, MS., CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MS, CCC-SLP

2. Navigating your way ? ? ?

3. Navigating your ! ! !

4. How do you make the best choice for the best voice!
Know where to start
Search for devices
Sort through options
Resources to use

5. Resources to assist you
Lite Tech Low Cost AAC Chart
AAC TechConnect – free resources
AAC Device Assistant

6. Two Bodies of Knowledge
Information about the devices
Information about the
client

7. Information about the
client

8. Information about the
client
Light tech is usually cheaper and less complicated than high tech, but comprehensive assessment is still a must

9. Information about the devices

10. What is feature matching?
Needs and abilities of the consumer are assessed to identify the features of the assistive technology solution
(Identify what features are needed by the consumer based on their abilities and then identify a device that meets these requirements)

11. Technology Discontinuation
Approximately 1/3 of all assistive technologies are discontinued
Most within the first three months of acquisition
Can vary from as little as 8% to as high as 75% depending on the type of technology

12. Technology Discontinuation
Lost revenues with each technology failure
Lost time in supporting and developing or rehabilitating language
Loss of opportunity in establishing effective communication system and resultant frustration for AAC users and their partners

13. Perceptions about Technology
Historically much consideration given to feature matching and identifying high tech options
Families of teenagers and young adults have often resisted lite tech, feeling that high tech is the best intervention choice (their child deserves the very best) Beukelman and Mirenda
Lite tech has been viewed as so simple that little consideration given to the complexity of identifying and implementing its use

14. Why Review Lite Tech?
So many lite tech devices and so many features who would have ever thought there would be such a quandary?
Numerous devices with and without voice output
Identifying and understanding the array of features available on lite tech devices
Recognize AAC as multimodal and support those functions for the wide variety of users

15. Why Review Lite Tech?
Recognizing the power of nonvoice output in establishing true communicative intent
some high tech voice output AAC users prefer the interactive nature and shared message building of nonspeech systems for communication with familiar partners
Lite tech AAC is often used for teaching concepts as well as supporting the development and use of communication

16. website

17. Gusinc.com
Examples of scanning videos

18. Reviewing Devices Name Manufacturer Cost Durability Portability
Batteries (kind)or charger? (how long?)
Type of input? Keyboard? Switch? Other (describe)
Type of Speech Output? Human Voice (recorded)? Synthesized Speech
How many message spaces are available? What Size?
How easily can it be programmed?
Device Strengths: Device Limitations:
What did you like about the device?
What did you not like about the device?

19. Exploring Lite Tech Non Voice Output Single Message Sequencers
Randomizers
Dual Message
Three Messages
Four Messages
Five to Seven
Eight
Nine to Fifteen
Sixteen to 64
Progressive Communicators
Dynamic Display
Text to Speech
Specialized Communicators for Visually Impaired

20. Types of devices to consider
Simpler Digitized
Digitized with more options
Text – to-Speech
Dynamic display
Integrated systems

21. Digitized Devices (examples only – not all inclusive)

22. Digitized Routine communication phrases/ words Recorded voice
Use of picture
Not as generative
Most of them have:
Paper overlays that are changed
Static display

23. Text-to-Speech (examples only – not all inclusive)

24. Text to Speech Mainly spelling (keyboard and some have scanning)
Most have built-in keyboards
Mostly synthesized speech, though some have digitized speech

25. Dynamic Display (examples only – not all inclusive)

26. Dynamic Display Multiple pages “Navigate between pages”
Variety of symbols available
Both types of speech (digitized & synthesized)

27. Integrated Systems (examples only – not all inclusive)

28. Integrated System Multiple pages “Navigate between pages”
Variety of symbols available
Both types of speech (digitized & synthesized)
Includes computer components

29. Rate enhancement Premade vocabulary Semantic compaction
Prediction (word, grammatical, phrase, character)
Abbreviation Expansion

30. Tools / Resources Blank device comparison charts
CD with device flyers from most major manufacturers
Lite Tech Low Cost AAC Chart
Free trial of Device Assistant

31. Resources on AAC TechConnect
FREE
Manufacturer info
100+ Product flyers
What’s new
FEE FOR SERVICE
Lite Tech Low Cost Chart
Device Assistant

33. New products

34. Manufacturer’s info
Manufacturer’s
Info
from
One website

35. What’s new ??

37. Demo equipment <$999

40. Educated choices – made easy
Chart + Device Assistant =
Best Choice for the Best voice

41. Lite Tech Low Cost Chart
Nonvoice tools
Voice output
Less than $1500
Developed by Libby Rush & Mary Joan McClure

42. Uses

44. Device Assistant Research most AAC devices in one place Feature match
Objective information
Manufacturer – contribute time / information
Clinicians/AT teams /consumer

45. Save time
Save money
Improve results

46. Part of your clinical toolkit
Clinical knowledge
Clinical discernment
“Just the facts” mam

54. Features continued Types of scanning Types of symbols Speech output
Voices & languages
Environmental controls
Printer
Telephone

55. Features continued Rate enhancement Activity log Accessories
Keyguards sizes
Battery information
Screen information
Back up storage
Speaker/mic/earphone

56. Features continued Input/output options Volume control Media available
Computer access/operating system
Computer specs
Internet
Access software
Warranty information
Funding Assistance
‘Product support

57. Compare specs Specs researched Objective information
Manufacturers’ support – but not pay
Clinician/ consumer fee for service
Flyers - downloadable

59. Order products AAC TechConnect.com Low-cost Lite-tech AAC Chart
Check under products
Low-cost Lite-tech AAC Chart
$14.95 until (Introductory special)
Prepared by Libby Rush & Mary Joan McClure
Device Assistant
See next page

60. Cost - Device Assistant
Free trial until
Mention that you attended session for introductory pricing
$14.95 – 30 days (for one person)
Introductory pricing – 14 days free trial
$99/year – 1 year (individual)
Introductory pricing - $59/year
$149/year – up to 5 persons (ideal of AT teams)
Introductory pricing - $ 99
Additional options available
University training programs - contact us for special pricing
Contact us for your special situations
Loan bank? Let us help you modify your loan bank

61. Contact us: Debby McBride, MS, CCC-SLP AAC TechConnect
Elizabeth (Libby) Rush, MA, CCC-SLP
Independent AAC/AT Consultant
424 Bywood Drive
Durham, NC 27712