Week 3- Autism and AAC Flashcards
How can Autism be defined?
A condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. It is a developmental disorder because it is present in childhood affecting various aspects of a child’s development
What is known about who is affected by, or who is susceptible to having autism?
Occurs in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
4x more common among boys. (potentially we are not identifying girls with autism as much because they present differently)
CDC says 1 in 36 children in the US is affected by autism
Rates of diagnosis are increasing
What behaviors or characteristics are typical of someone with autism?
Deficits in social communication/interaction. and restricted, repetitive behaviors, interests or activities.
What are risk factors of autism?
Environmental, neurological and genetic factors
Childs sex, family history of autism, Occurs with other disorders, extremely premature babies, parental age. Genetic differences, exposure to harmful materials of chemicals in the environment.
No link between vaccines and ASD
What are some of the hallmark first signs and symptoms typically associated with autism?
Reduced eye contact
Differences in body language
Lack of facial expression
Not engaging in imaginative play
Repeating gestures or sounds
Closely focused interests
Indifference to temperature extremes
What is meant by autism being a spectrum of disorders?
There is a wide range of symptoms and severity.
How can autism be diagnosed?
Through a comprehensive evaluation preferably by a team of many different professionals. SLP will often be the first to notice a child might need an assessment for autism.
Who is involved with assessing autism?
SLP, OT, Parents, Behavior Analyst, phycologist, educational specialist.
Best to look at child holistically by a multidisciplinary team of professionals.
Often time speech delays will be the first indicator or ASD.
What should be incorporated into a speech & language assessment for someone we suspect has autism?
Case history
Observation –many different environments. Ex recess, reading time.
Norm-referenced testing - standardized testing
Criterion referenced / check lists – List of skills that are expected at their age
Rating scales
Will still look at all areas of speech/language. May be mostly focused on pragmatics.
What does AAC stand for
Augmentative and Alternative communication
What is the purpose of AAC
People with severe speech or language problems rely on AAC to supplement existing speech or replace speech that is not functional. AAC aids and devices are used to enhance their communication.
Who might need to use AAC
People who some or all of the time cannot rely on their speech. This could be due to congenital or acquired disabilities.
Ex: Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Sensory impairments, Genetic Syndromes, Intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, hearing impairment, Disease, stroke, head injury, apraxia
Aided vs Unaided communication
Aided: Tools are needed to communicate. Requires a device or accessory that is external/ separate from a person’s body to communicate
Unaided: No tools needed to communicate. A person can use their own body to communicate in some way.
Examples of Aided Communication
Pictures/photos
Technology
Communication boards
Object symbols
Written words/letters.
Examples of Unaided Communication
Natural speech
Gestures (fine and gross motor body movements)
Vocalizations (uh-huh, crying, moaning, coughing and sneezing)
Manual Sign Systems (Sign language, Finger spelling)
What is a speech generating device?
A device that speaks for someone
What is a dynamic display?
Multiple pages of symbols are possible and only a portion of symbols are available at a time. Words are organized in categories. High tech. Not appropriate for all children depending on their abilities.
What is a static/fixed display?
Has symbols that do not change on the device. Require more force to push the button. Someone has to record the speech for each button. More “low tech”
What is direct selection?
Direct selection requires a direct motor act to choose icon. (physical pressure/depression, physical contact, pointing without contact, and/or speech/ voice input)
What is scanning?
Device scrolls through choices until the user selects the desired symbol. User signals their choice. (Eye gaze, eye blinks, head nods or switch activation)
Digitized vs Synthesized voices
Digitized speech: Natural recorded speech (low tech)
Synthesized speech: Computerized voice (high tech)
What can a low tech device offer compared to a high tech device?
Low tech- less complex, not battery operated, more durable, affordable. May require more motor skills.
High tech- May require more cognitive ability to use, expensive, relies on batteries.
Who can help us with an assessment for AAC and why is this team important?
Parents/caregivers- how individual communicates
Teachers- how they do in classroom
SLP’s- where are they with speech sounds/language abilities
OT/PT- fine and gross movement. Abilities to activate different devices. Sensory issues. How much weight they can bear.
Social Workers- May have past info/history.
Psychologists- Cognitive abilities/deficits.
Nurses/Doctors-Current conditions. Will conditions worsen over time
The whole team is important because each member has unique info to add.
IMPORTANT: There should be a team lead, typically will be SLP
What is feature matching
Feature matching determines which AAC features matches an individual’s communication needs and capabilities.
What are the goals of treatment with AAC users?
Meet unmet communication needs
Increase communication competency
Increase participation in society
Multimodal
People use a combination of communication modalities to meet their intended communication goals. Ex: words, gestures and touching a picture.
Total Communication:
A philosphy that encourages the use of any and all communication methods necessary to facilitate language acquisition.
AAC System:
All the communication support technologies, modes and strategies that an individual with CCN may use to communicate effectively.
Complex Communication Needs (CCN)
exists when an individual cannot meet their daily communication needs through their current methods of communication; this can restrict and limit a person’s ability to participate independently in society.
