1. Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. Unit Eleven Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2. Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. Chapter 44 People Who May Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems

3. 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

4. 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

5. Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 5 AAC Systems Electronic Nonelectronic

6. Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 6 Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities Cerebral palsy Intellectual disabilities Autism

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. Chapter 45 Assessment and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems

14. 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

15. Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 15 Principles of AAC Assessment Team approach is required Client is the “captain” of the team

16. 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

17. 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

18. Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved. 18 Symbols Photographs and illustrations Picture Communication Symbols © Rebus symbols DynaSyms Blissymbolics

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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