Communication Competencies

Question 1

What are the communication competencies

Answer 1

Linguistic, operational, strategic, social

Question 2

Communication competencies reference

Answer 2

Light, J, 1989, 2014

Question 3

Linguistic

Answer 3

• knowledge of spoken and written language
• expressive and receptive language
• knowledge of pictures, symbols, syntax

Question 4

Operational

Answer 4

• technical operation of AAC system; turning on/off
• learning to use gestures and sign language
• operating with different access - head mouse, eye gaze

Question 5

Social

Answer 5

• using AAC for social purposes
• conversational skills, eg turn taking, staying on topic
• interpersonal skills
• requesting attention or information

Question 6

Strategic

Answer 6

• adaptive strategies to use to overcome limitations
• considering environmental and attitudinal barriers

Question 7

Other factors to consider

Answer 7

Janice Light, 2003
- motivation
- attitude
- confidence
- resilience

• environmental supports and barriers
• policy and practice barriers and support

Question 8

Quote

Answer 8

• Janice Murray, 2019
• “people who use aided AAC have to be able to find, select and use symbols within their system to be able to communicate”