Lecture 3

Question 1

List factors that must be considered when choosing an AAC system for an individual with a developmental disability.

Answer 1

• Positioning and seating 

• Motor capabilities 
- what can they do? What is the reliability and consistency of these movement? (i.e. can they always do the movement?) What is their co-ordination like? What is their endurance like? Do they fatigue easily?
• Cognitive abilities 

• Access – how will they physically access the object? Do they use their hands? Head movement? Eye gaze?

• Symbol assessment 

• Language – what is their language level? Do they have single words only? Or do they have grammatical structures to put words together in sentences? Will they use language for a variety of purposes (comment, argue, joke) or just to request their wants and needs?
• Communication needs – what do they need to be able to communicate? What situations do they find themselves in?

Question 2

Describe Aided Language Stimulation (ALS)

Answer 2

During ALS, the partner (e.g., parent or clinician) points to AAC symbols while simultaneously speaking the words represented by the symbol.

Question 3

Describe Aided Language Modeling (ALM)

Answer 3

The AAC facilitator simultaneously presents A with a real life referent (e.g. puzzle), the symbol in the AAC aid, and verbal production of the word. Research shows ALM increases both symbol comprehension and usage in preschoolers with developmental disabilities

Question 4

What are outcome measures for AAC?

Answer 4

• Use of AAC system (linguistic, operational, strategic and social competencies)
• Functional communication
• Self-determination
• Quality of life
• Consumer satisfaction
• Academic/vocational achievement
• Participation in activities

Question 5

What is the Matching the Person with Technology (MPT) model?

Answer 5

A theoretical approach to integrating personal, clinical, and external evidence into the AAC assessment process (in choosing AAC characteristics).

Question 6

The MPT has primary, secondary, and tertiary components. What does each consist of?

Answer 6

Primary: language representation models (i.e. alphabet models, single meaning pictures), vocabulary, and method of utterance generation (SNUG vs. pre-stored).

Secondary: user interface (symbols, navigation), selection method, output (speech, display).

Tertiary: peripheral and integrated features (e.g. sending emails/SMS), training and support.