Chapter 2

Question 1

What is the main goal of AAC for someone who cannot communicate functionally?

Answer 1

• To communicate messages so they can interact in conversations
• To be able to participate at home, in school, at work, and in recreational activities
• To learn their native language
• To establish and maintain social roles
• To meet personal needs

Question 2

What are some factors that influence the AAC?

Answer 2

• Experience of the SLP
• Differences in age, gender and social roles
• Individual preferences
• Environment where person spends time
• Individual family specifics
• AAC technology itself
• Individual abilities

Question 3

What are the messages of conversation?

Answer 3

Greetings, small talk, storytelling, procedural description, content-specific information, wrap-up/closing statements

Question 4

Describe spoken communication.

Answer 4

More personal references, more first and second person pronouns, shorter thought units, more monosyllabic and familiar words, less lexical diversity, repetition is more common.

Question 5

Describe school vocabulary.

Answer 5

Subjects change frequently-different topics are mentioned; less social/more used with unfamiliar adults; language is basically used to gain information; less slang is used

Question 6

What are some age variables that should be taken into consideration?

Answer 6

As we age, we use fewer pronouns, make more ambiguous references, show a decrease in lexical variety

Question 7

True or False: Expressive vocabulary decreases by the 7th decade

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Keeping gender variables in mind, describe characteristics of men’s speech.

Answer 8

Men use fewer pronouns, more adjectives, more unusual adverbs, more unusual prepositions, words relating to time, space, quality and destruction actions.

Question 9

Keeping gender variations in mind, describe characteristics of women’s speech.

Answer 9

Women use more auxiliary words, more flowery language, more negations, and talk about feelings, emotions, and themselves.

Question 10

What are the three categories of clients for vocabulary selection?

Answer 10

Preliterate, nonliterate, literate

Question 11

What kind of vocabulary do you select for a preliterate client?

Answer 11

Coverage and developmental vocabulary

Question 12

What is coverage vocabulary?

Answer 12

Coverage vocabulary covers basic communication needs and wants. It is very individualized and depends on the needs of the person.

Question 13

What is developmental vocabulary?

Answer 13

Developmental vocabulary should encourage vocabulary growth. It should encourage word combination to increase vocabulary growth.

Question 14

What should the focus be for non-literate individuals?

Answer 14

Functional vocabulary

Question 15

What is functional vocabulary?

Answer 15

1. Use symbols - pic syms, PCS, etc.
2. Include symbols to increase communication possibilities.
3. Whole messages are best to use - example, glass of water is the symbol and message says “I want a glass of water please”.
4. Vocabulary must be age and gender appropriate

Question 16

What are the three types of messages that may be prepared for quick retrieval in literate individuals?

Answer 16

Messages related to timing enhancement, those related to message acceleration, and those related to fatigue reduction

Question 17

What are messages related to timing enhancement?

Answer 17

These are messages that need to be communicated quickly - they usually are stored as whole messages.

Question 18

What are messages related to message acceleration?

Answer 18

For messages that are lengthy and occur frequently, such as “I need to be suctioned please”.

Question 19

True or False: The SLP/clinical staff does not need to understand/identify when fatigue occurs.

Answer 19

False

Question 20

What is core vocabulary?

Answer 20

Words commonly used by most people in public situations, such as “how are you, I am fine”.

Question 21

What is fringe vocabulary?

Answer 21

Personalized vocabulary used by an individual in particular situations. Need to know the person’s interests, job, family, etc. Slang phrases for teens would be different than slang phrases for an adult.

Question 22

What are some factors to consider when selecting fringe vocabulary?

Answer 22

Age, cognitive ability, language ability, facilitator ability, gender

Question 23

True or False: You should only consult with the AAC user themselves when discussing the design/use of an AAC

Answer 23

False: Always consult, user, family, friends, teacher, co-worker, i.e. anyone intimately involved with the user

Question 24

What are some factors when considering fringe vocabulary?

Answer 24

• Interesting or why would you want to use it.
• Frequently used - over and over
• Relevant words that are needed
• Easily interpreted.

Question 25

What are some possible sources to draw core vocabulary lists from?

Answer 25

Peers, other AAC users, family/friends, etc

Question 26

What is vocabulary maintenance?

Answer 26

Follow up and throw out unneeded words or add needed words. Change vocabulary for seasons, holiday, etc. Normal speakers can pull out and access any and all vocabulary we need-AAC user relies on us to give them what they need

Question 27

What is a vocabulary diary?

Answer 27

Have parents/family do a diary of words/phrases needed by the AAC user.

Question 28

What is an environmental/ecological inventory?

Answer 28

Following the user around and making note of the people/equipment they use/come in contact with on a daily basis