1. Martin Pistorius and Alecia Samuels 30 March 2006 Martin Pistorius and Alecia Samuels 30 March 2006

2. What Is Augmentative And Alternative Communication? The use of less frequently used means or modes of communication to facilitate the functioning of people with little or no functional speech in society The use of less frequently used means or modes of communication to facilitate the functioning of people with little or no functional speech in society

3. Who Can Benefit From AAC? Persons with little or no speech e.g.  severe mental or physical disabilities  multiple disabilities Persons with little or no speech e.g.  severe mental or physical disabilities  multiple disabilities

4. Who Can Benefit From AAC? Persons with little or no speech e.g.  severe mental or physical disabilities  congenital disorders e.g. CP, Syndromes  acquired disorders e.g. stroke, Parkinson's disease and motor neuron disease. Persons with little or no speech e.g.  severe mental or physical disabilities  congenital disorders e.g. CP, Syndromes  acquired disorders e.g. stroke, Parkinson's disease and motor neuron disease.

5. Who Can Benefit From AAC? Persons with little or no speech e.g.  severe mental or physical disabilities  multiple disabilities  congenital disorders e.g. CP, Syndromes  acquired disorders e.g. stroke, Parkinson's disease and motor neuron disease. Persons with little or no speech e.g.  severe mental or physical disabilities  multiple disabilities  congenital disorders e.g. CP, Syndromes  acquired disorders e.g. stroke, Parkinson's disease and motor neuron disease.

6. Why AAC?  Communication is a human right  THAT a person communicates is more important than HOW he communicates  AAC provides a person with a means to communicate and can also facilitate speech development  AAC can facilitate entrance in to literacy  AAC facilitates interactions and greater independence  AAC provides access to different communication contexts and partners  Communication is a human right  THAT a person communicates is more important than HOW he communicates  AAC provides a person with a means to communicate and can also facilitate speech development  AAC can facilitate entrance in to literacy  AAC facilitates interactions and greater independence  AAC provides access to different communication contexts and partners

7. AAC Classification AAC Systems UnaidedAided

8. Unaided Systems SpeechVocalizations Gestural Systems Natural Signs Key word signing Sign Language Facial Expressions

9. AIDED SYSTEMS  Symbols used on aided systems are perceptually graded :  Real objects Least Difficult  Miniatures  Parts of objects / associated objects  Photographs  Pictures  Line drawings  Traditional Orthography Most Difficult  Symbols used on aided systems are perceptually graded :  Real objects Least Difficult  Miniatures  Parts of objects / associated objects  Photographs  Pictures  Line drawings  Traditional Orthography Most Difficult

10. Technology Aided Systems Real objects, Photos, PCS, Print Low Technology Communication boards Alphabet boards Bracelets & Necklaces Remnants books Light Technology Dial scan High Technology Digitized VOCA’s ChatboxMacawDynamo Synthesized VOCA’s VantagePathfinder

11. Non Dedicated Devices

12. Accessing AAC systems Direct selection

13. Alternative - Direct selection

14. CAAC ACTIVITIES

15. We impact on the lives of individuals and families by multi-professional training and research in: -AAC and severe disabilities -Early childhood intervention -Technologies for communication - Policy implementation We impact on the lives of individuals and families by multi-professional training and research in: -AAC and severe disabilities -Early childhood intervention -Technologies for communication - Policy implementation Our mission

16. Core Focus Areas Multi- professional team Research Formal Training Consultations Assistive Technology Informal Training

17. Contact us!!! www.caac.up.ac.za Phone: 012 420-2001 Fax: 012 420-4389

18. “Crushing the personalities of speechless individuals is very easy: just make it impossible for them to communicate freely” Crossley & McDonald, 1984, p.142 “Crushing the personalities of speechless individuals is very easy: just make it impossible for them to communicate freely” Crossley & McDonald, 1984, p.142