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ACE-D ; Augmentative Communication Evaluation for Devices

ACE-D is a web-based evaluation tool specifically designed for AAC devices, providing a simplified assessment process and a database of up-to-date information on over 75 AAC devices. It is suitable for clinicians, manufacturers, dealers, and funding experts.

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ACE-D ; Augmentative Communication Evaluation for Devices

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  1. ACE-D ; Augmentative Communication Evaluation for Devices Debby McBride, MS, CCC-SLP & important others

  2. AAC Device Evaluations –Simplified Debby McBride, MS., CCC-SLP & important others

  3. Experience • Clinician • Manufacturer’s representative • Multi-line dealer • Funding • Clinician * Perspective * Awareness of what people are doing / not doing; looking for / finding / not finding

  4. Important others • Students / patients / consumers • Fellow clinicians • Clinicians with AAC focus • Educational • Medical • Private • Manufacturers • Multi-line dealers • Funding experts

  5. WHAT is the ACE-D? • Web-based evaluation tool – specifically for devices • Assumes that individual has some understanding of symbols • DYNAMIC – and most current changes are available on the web at aacPartners.com

  6. aacPartners.com • Website providing a variety of resources • Networks manufacturers, multi-line Dealers, clinicians, AT teams, consumers Providing products . . . . Including ACE-D

  7. What is in the ACE-D? 3 modules • Documentation Assistant • Assessment Assistant • Device Selection Assistant

  8. Documentation Assistant • helps to gather information • identifies areas which may need to be assessed • assists in simplifying paperwork for writing reports and acquiring funding

  9. Device Selection Assistant • a web-based database that • Saves you time in locating product information on AAC devices (SGD’s) • Provides current and up-to-date information about most AAC devices (75 + devices)

  10. Assessment Assistant • Ideas will assist in your evaluation • Utilize what you have ?? (digitized, dynamic display, integrated systems, computer and peripherals) • Use your computer and peripherals as an evaluation tool * • Provide materials for areas which need to be assessed *

  11. WHY? • Evaluation situations • Ideal • Reality; examples of SGD’s • Limited access to SGD’s • Older examples of SGD’s • Computers and peripherals • None

  12. WHO ? • AAC / AT specialists • Less experienced clinicians • Someone in between

  13. Philosophy • Use the tools you have available to assess skills • Cost effective way to do basic evaluations • Determine device features based on what you find • Do research to find the devices which match the skills and needs • Find your local resources and evaluate equipment appropriateness

  14. Evaluation • Ask questions for you to consider • In addition to what you are doing • Or • As a guideline for what you are doing • Leads to you to the skills they have • . . . . . Features on the device they need

  15. Various forms • Provide premade vocabulary and communication boards (low tech) • Provide premade overlays for devices which you already have (digitized) • Provide dynamic display software for your computer • Provide vocabulary for your dynamic display devices

  16. Ask questions. . . Finding answers Examples of areas to consider • What is the access method? * • What type of symbols are best * • Characteristics • Presentation of symbols • Size of pictures • No. of pictures • size of target area • Digitized examples • Options on devices 4”, 6.4 “, 8.4”, 12.1”, etc.

  17. Language Representation • single meaning pictures / icons • multi-meaning pictures (semantic compaction) • Text- based programs: i.e. reading; spelling

  18. Message formulation • Routine messages • Prestore messages • How to retrieve quickly • Formulate messages • Message bar; text, pictures, both • Change pages; digitized, dynamic *

  19. Rate Enhancement • Sentences/phrases used • Prediction • Letter • Word . . . . . Alphabetic; frequency; recency • Picture prediction * • Abbreviation expansion • Semantic compaction *

  20. Form • Premade vocabulary • Based on age • Based on abilities • Based on simplicity . . . . . Complexity • Based on individual device options • diagonal screen / picture size • High tech; light tech; low tech

  21. Other considerations • List of accessories • What do you need? • What is available? – work with company/rep • Checklist . . . • Funding sources • Medical funding Medicare; Medicaid; private insurance • Other . . . Educational; vocational; private

  22. Consider Training Needs / Support • What companies provide • Individual training • Local reps training • Group trainings • Virtual classroom • On-line supports (hook “in”) • Technical supports • Tutorials

  23. Consider funding needs/options • Manufacturer does /assists in funding • Manufacturer does not assist in funding • Only part of the device cost will be paid • What about caps and “allowables” on what will be covered. • Completing the paperwork required for insurance purposes (doctor, family, SLP)

  24. Some highlights • Identified Beta sites • Trial prepared materials • Give feedback • Add in their own materials • Web-based product to go and get • Premade overlays/boards (dynamic display software) / vocabulary

  25. Your input • What do you need ? • Example: I would like to see a way for me to evaluate which is the best language representation system for my student. • Materials; single meaning; multiple meaning; alphabet methods • Research • Local resources • Team decision

  26. Device Selection Assistant –DSA • a web-based database that • Saves you time in locating product information on AAC devices (SGD’s) • Provides current and up-to-date information about most AAC devices • Currently contains 75+ voice output devices currently on the market in the US; ranging from the simplest to the most complex • Helps you research the devices available based on your specific needs

  27. How does it work? Go to aacPartners.com Locate DEVICE SELECTIONS GUIDE Select log-in information Do search – see results

  28. Do research & trial • Current devices available • Locate devices • Loaners; look at and try options • Loan bank . . . . considerations • Local rep – manufacturer and dealer • Research current devices - • Device Selection Assistant • Examples

  29. Other considerations • Device styles *** • Tablet with touchscreen • Tablet with on-screen keyboard • Table with plug-in keyboard • Integrated keyboard • Overlays / static display

  30. How does it work? Go to aacPartners.com *** Locate DEVICE SELECTIONS GUIDE Select log-in information Do search – see results

  31. DSA • Free “trial” search which reveals • Variety of devices for your consideration • Allows you to search according to device “categories” • Gives you basic information at no charge • Cost • Size / weight • Medicare version/ code

  32. Fee for service option • Side-by-side comparisons of devices you select • Specifications with large amount of information; hardware and some software • Software comparisons are coming • Flyers of manufacturer’s info and contact information

  33. Handouts • aacPartners.com • Events • ATIA • Handouts

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