AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION

Question 1

What is AAC?

Answer 1

Study of and provision of communication approaches that
compensate for temporary or permanent communication
impairments, activity limitations, and/or participation
restrictions of individuals with severe communication
disorders.

Question 2

Aided vs Unaided:

Answer 2

Aided: SGDs, picture communication symbols, line drawings

Unaided: manual signs, gestures, finger spelling.

Question 3

High vs. Low Tech

Answer 3

High: Utilize microcomputers, tablets and specialized software

Low: No electronic parts, PECS, letter boards, schedule boards,
symbol boards

Question 4

Symbol systems:

Answer 4

Transparency
iconicity
examples
static
dynamic

Question 5

Transparency

Answer 5

Ease of deciphering what the symbol means

Question 6

Iconicity

Answer 6

How closely it resembles what it represents

Question 7

Examples

Answer 7

Pictures, line drawings, PCS, Minspeak, Bliss symbols.

Question 8

Static

Answer 8

Symbols don’t move.

Question 9

Dynamic

Answer 9

Symbols will move and disappear/appear based on

selection

Question 10

Who needs AAC?

Answer 10

Children or Adults with:
Cerebral Palsy
Intellectual disabilities
Autism
Apraxia and Dysarthria
TBI
Locked-in syndrome
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Severe language delays

Question 10

AAC Assessment

Answer 10

Capabilities:
Positioning/seating
Neuromotor impairments
Motor
Sensory and perceptual abilities
Communication/cognitive abilities
Symbols
Literacy skills

Participation Model:
Assessment for today
Assessment for tomorrow
Follow up assessment

Question 11

AAC Selection

Answer 11

Gender and age
Preliterate vs. Literate
Fatigue reduction
Organization of semantic categories

Question 11

Barriers to AAC

Answer 11

Opportunity Barriers:
Policy 
Practice
Knowledge
Skill
Attitude
Access

Question 12

Policy Barriers

Answer 12

Result from legislative or regulatory decisions.

Question 13

Practice Barriers

Answer 13

Result from procedures that have become
common in a family or school even though they aren’t an actual
policy

Question 14

Knowledge Barriers

Answer 14

Result when someone lacks information
regarding specific aspects of AAC intervention or technology,
which results in limited opportunities for participation.

Question 15

Skill Barriers

Answer 15

When communication partners have difficulty

implementing the AAC technique or strategy

Question 16

Attitude Barriers

Answer 16

When an individual’s attitudes or beliefs keep

an AAC user from participating in activities.

Question 17

Access Barriers

Answer 17

Limitations in the current capabilities of the

child, or limitations in the communication system being used

Question 18

AAC Myths

Answer 18

•AAC should be viewed as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted.
•AAC hinders or stops speech development.
•Certain cognitive skills need to be in place before a
child can be successful with AAC.
•SGDs are appropriate only for children with intact
cognition.