1. A Simplified Process for AAC Assessment. Decision- Making and Device Selection Debby McBride, MS, CCC-SLP Elizabeth (Libby) S. Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM

2. Five Types of Information for Quality AAC Evaluations I.Overview of process II.Assessment of user’s skills III.Knowledge about AAC tools/devices IV.Decision-making & supporting documentation V.Evidence best practices

3. Overview of the process Overview of the process Gather information before assessmentGather information before assessment Gather materials for assessmentGather materials for assessment Do the assessment – determine user’s skillsDo the assessment – determine user’s skills Summarize assessmentSummarize assessment Research devices (optional)Research devices (optional) Trial devices (as appropriate)Trial devices (as appropriate) Consider other factors / needs (Environmental /clinical considerations, etc.)Consider other factors / needs (Environmental /clinical considerations, etc.) Final recommendations / reportFinal recommendations / report Funding paperwork as requiredFunding paperwork as required

4. II. Assessment resources Appropriate tools on handAppropriate tools on hand (low-tech to high-tech) Outside resourcesOutside resources (vendors, AAC/AT specialists, web, etc.) (vendors, AAC/AT specialists, web, etc.) How to utilize themHow to utilize them

5. A toolkit to support evaluation process A toolkit to support evaluation process Objects, photos, symbols, & overlaysObjects, photos, symbols, & overlays Display boardsDisplay boards Dry erase boardDry erase board SequencerSequencer Progressive communicatorProgressive communicator Auditory choice making communicator or auditory scanning deviceAuditory choice making communicator or auditory scanning device Switch activated devices (toy or fan or vibrating Pillow)..... continuedSwitch activated devices (toy or fan or vibrating Pillow)..... continued

6. TOOLKIT - continued Battery adaptorBattery adaptor Array of SwitchesArray of Switches Switch InterfaceSwitch Interface Switch Mounting systemSwitch Mounting system

7. Toolkit - continued TouchscreenTouchscreen Laser Light Laser Light Eye gaze boardEye gaze board Manmade keyguardManmade keyguard

8. “Higher Tech” Laptop computer or tablet computerLaptop computer or tablet computer Touch ScreenTouch Screen –Dynamic Display Software (3 rd party) –Download AAC software demos –PowerPoint

9. TOOLKIT additions for access Can do as low-tech assessment KeyguardKeyguard Pointing lightPointing light Eye gazeEye gaze Positioning (motor – visual)Positioning (motor – visual) NavigationNavigation

10. Pre-Assessment Preparation Questions at Initial ContactQuestions at Initial Contact –Preservice Questionnaire Preservice QuestionnairePreservice Questionnaire Information that can be obtained prior to assessment sessionInformation that can be obtained prior to assessment session –Pre Evaluation Questionnaires Pre Evaluation QuestionnairesPre Evaluation Questionnaires Obtaining previous reports, evaluations and supplemental informationObtaining previous reports, evaluations and supplemental information –Communication Questionnaire Communication QuestionnaireCommunication Questionnaire –Case History Case HistoryCase History

11. Symbol Usage ObjectsObjects Cut out photos (COPPS)Cut out photos (COPPS) PhotographsPhotographs Realistic picturesRealistic pictures Abstract picturesAbstract pictures Visual scenesVisual scenes Semantic Compaction (Minspeak)Semantic Compaction (Minspeak) Alphabet/SpellingAlphabet/Spelling

12. Symbol organization Cognitive & sensory-perceptual considerations SizeSize No. per pageNo. per page Single overlaySingle overlay Navigation abilitiesNavigation abilities

13. Message Formulation Single messageSingle message Phrases/sentencesPhrases/sentences SpellingSpelling Grammatical formsGrammatical forms Rate enhancement (word, phrase, letter)Rate enhancement (word, phrase, letter) Premade applications (Gateway, SDPro WordPower, Unity, demo vocabulary, etc.)Premade applications (Gateway, SDPro WordPower, Unity, demo vocabulary, etc.)

14. Attempt to talk with all participants at the end of each evaluation sessionAttempt to talk with all participants at the end of each evaluation session Provide written summary at the conclusion of each sessionProvide written summary at the conclusion of each session –Means of sharing information that helps everyone to understand what was done –Way to communicate what will happen next –Method of recording information to use for report writing Evaluation Consult SummaryEvaluation Consult SummaryEvaluation Consult SummaryEvaluation Consult Summary Summary of evaluation session

15. Evaluation Notes Form to provide consistent means of recording information during the evaluation sessionForm to provide consistent means of recording information during the evaluation session Use of form helps to promote an organized method for keeping work recordsUse of form helps to promote an organized method for keeping work records Mechanism to measure progressMechanism to measure progress –Summary of Observations Summary of ObservationsSummary of Observations –Evaluation Notes Form Evaluation Notes FormEvaluation Notes Form

16. III. Knowledge about device/systems Type of device (digitized, dynamic display, text-to-speech/keyboard, integrated)Type of device (digitized, dynamic display, text-to-speech/keyboard, integrated) Access methodAccess method Symbols usedSymbols used Rate enhancersRate enhancers Accessories requiredAccessories required Medicare version requiredMedicare version required CostCost Size / weightSize / weight Etc.Etc.

17. Website

18. Dynamic Display See websiteSee website

19. Integrated Systems See websiteSee website

20. Text-to-Speech

21. Digitized Devices / Static Display See websiteSee website

22. IV.Decision-Making & Supporting Documentation Device Review Analyzing Criteria Comparison Chart www.aacTechConnect.com

23. Device Feature Match

25. Trialing equipment Vendors – local resourcesVendors – local resources ManufacturersManufacturers Loan equipmentLoan equipment Rental optionsRental options ASHA – list of questions to ask manufacturersASHA – list of questions to ask manufacturers

26. Split screen

28. Funding 3 rd party medical funding (Medicaid, Medicare, Private Insurance)3 rd party medical funding (Medicaid, Medicare, Private Insurance) Medicaid AvailableMedicaid Available EducationalEducational VocationalVocational Independent livingIndependent living Private pay or donationsPrivate pay or donations -Funding form & Funding form &Funding form & -Questions to ask insurance funding Questions to ask insurance fundingQuestions to ask insurance funding

29. V. Knowledge about best practices Evidence-based practice refers to an approach in which current, high-quality research evidence is integrated with practitioner expertise and client preferences and values into the process of making clinical decisions.Evidence-based practice refers to an approach in which current, high-quality research evidence is integrated with practitioner expertise and client preferences and values into the process of making clinical decisions. Web listWeb listWeb listWeb list To download handouts, go toTo download handouts, go to www.aacTechConnect.com go to EVENTS click on Closing the Gap 2006

30. Workshops AAC Evaluation Workshop (1 day seminar providing effective strategies and resources for doing comprehensive AAC Evaluations).AAC Evaluation Workshop (1 day seminar providing effective strategies and resources for doing comprehensive AAC Evaluations). Make n Take Make n Take Vendors & local resources to be included in day 2Vendors & local resources to be included in day 2 For information on “hosting” this event, contact debby@aacTechConnect.com or 1.866.4U.AAC.RXFor information on “hosting” this event, contact debby@aacTechConnect.com or 1.866.4U.AAC.RX debby@aacTechConnect.com Come to booth #538 for more informationCome to booth #538 for more information

31. Thank you for your interest in A Simplified Process for AAC Assessment: Decision-Making and Device Selection

32. Debby McBride, MS, CCC-SLP 866.4U.AAC.RX debby@aacTechConnect.com debby@aacTechConnect.com www.aacTechConnect.com 866.4U.AAC.RX ( 866.482.2279) Elizabeth (Libby) Rush, MA, CCC-SLP Independent AAC/AT Consultant 424 Bywood Drive Durham, NC 27712 libbyrush@aol.com 919-471-2819