Week 1 - Intro to AAC Flashcards
Multi-Modal Communication
Speech/oral/vocal Graphic/picture-based Writing/reading Drawing Augmentative and alternative communication
Complex Communication Needs
People who:
Simple communication is an ongoing struggle
Are constantly overlooked
Multiple impairments impact their ability to communicate and participate
Require a tailored communication system to meet their specific needs and contexts
Varying Communication Requirements
Due to:
* Age * Gender * Culture, family * Individual experience and preferences * Personality and motivation * Skill and knowledge of communication partners * Environments, activities * Nature of abilities, impairments
Describe what AAC is
Any system, device or method that improves the ability of a person to communicate
Supplements existing communication skills
AAC Mediums
Voice, sounds Facial movements Body movements Natural gestures Signing systems Picture based systems Photos Object symbols Text Electronic devices Computer systems Web systems
AAC Classes
No technology
Light technology
High technology
No tech + light tech = low tech
Who benefits from AAC
Individuals who require assistance for speaking, writing or understanding
Existing communication doesn’t meet all their communication means
Eg.
* People who don’t use speech effectively in daily activities
* Children with severe language delays - causes improvements quickly
* People who aren’t understood by listeners
* Have functional speech in short exchanges, need support in longer interactions
* Those with comprehension challenges, requiring support to understand and participate in activities and routines
* Give visual record - allows them to stay on track
* Slows down the rate of conversation - more time to process
Light, 1988 - Functionality of AAC
Expression of needs or wants
Transfer of information
Social closeness
Social etiquette
Light, 1988 - Needs & Wants
Goal - regulatory behaviour Duration - brief Content - important Predictability - highly predictable Rate - important
Light, 1988 - Transfer information
Goal - share information Duration - brief to lengthy Content - important Predictability - unpredictable Rate - important
Light, 1988 - Social Closeness
Goal - personal relationships Duration - brief to lengthy Content - less important Predictability - somewhat predictable Rate - less important
Light, 1988 - Social Etiquette
Goal - social conformity Duration - limited (turn taking rules) Content - less important Predictability - less important Rate - important
Light, 1989 - Communicative Competencies
- Central goal of AAC is development of communication competence Linguistic competence Operational competence Social competence Strategic competence
Light, 1989 - Linguistic Competence
Learning the basic code of the AAC system
Mastery of language spoken around them
Learning the symbols used to represent vocabulary and language
Light, 1989 - Operational Competence
Learning to use the necessary motor, cognitive, visual and auditory skills to operate the AAC system
An ability to use the full breadth of the system features
Use of effective rate enhancement strategies
