1. Communication Aids Josh Mars Lucy Hyne
Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist
Leeds Communication Aid Service
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Lucy Hyne
Senior Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Introduce self and aspects of job
Welcome – programme sheets for everyone.
Audience? Support staff CTs Sencos? Get people to say who they are!!
House keeping – position of toilets, fire exits,

2. Overview Communication problems in MND
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
About our services – how we work together
How to make a referral
Available AAC technologies

3. Communication problems in MND
Dysarthria
Slow, slurred speech
Reduced volume
Language impairment
Word finding difficulties
Reduced comprehension
Grammatical and sentence structure errors
Social impact of speech and language impairments.

4. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Covers a huge range of techniques which support or replace spoken communication
AAC systems can be unaided and aided
Aided systems can be low-tech or high-tech
Some people with physical difficulties need alternative ways of accessing AAC
There is no ‘best type’ of AAC system

5. About our services MND Specialist SLT role hosted by LTHT
MND Specialist SLT attends MND clinics
Access to communication aids via CAS
MND Specialist SLT refers to CAS when required
CAS – part of Children’s SLT at LCHT
CAS – equipment only and/or specialist assessment
Specialist high technology communication aids
Low technology AAC resources available
CAS - Specialist assessment, training & support for people requiring high technology communication aids
Loan communication aids on a long or short term basis
Joint working around clients

6. Who can access AAC?
Leeds Communication Aid Service working with Barnsley Assistive Technology Service (Regional Specialist AAC Hub): Specialist AAC assessment and equipment for Yorkshire & Humber
Specialist and non-specialist pathways
Outline hubs – brief overview

7. Referral to the Leeds CAS
People with MND referred will be prioritised as urgent
Equipment loan requests can be made by the referring Speech Therapist prior to initial assessment

8. Unaided AAC practical Give a message to the room Use body language
No speaking
No writing

9. Low-tech AAC practical
Direct access
Give a message using a spelling board, symbol board or e-trans frame
You can point to the symbols
You can eye-point to the symbols
Indirect access
Give a message using a spelling board or symbol board
Your partner scans through the symbols

10. High-tech AAC access methods
Direct access
Using part of the body
Indirect access
Switches
Joysticks
Eyegaze

11. High-tech AAC practical

12. Contact details Lucy Hyne Senior Specialist SLT
E Floor, Brotherton Wing LGI
Great George Street
Leeds
LS1
Josh Mars
Highly Specialist/ Lead SLT
Leeds SLT CAS
East SILC John Jamieson
Hollin Hill Drive
Leeds
LS8 2PW

13. Further information