AAC Augmentative Alternative Communication

1. AACAugmentative Alternative Communication Cindy Nankee CESA #3 WATI Consultant cnankee@cesa3.k12.wi.us

2. Agenda • Share assessment experiences • Showcase low, mid & high tech AAC • Communication Symbols • Ideas for Using AAC • Set Up Success • Educational Opportunities • Planning Communication Boards – the 80/20 rule • Boardmaker

3. Session Objective • Participants will increase knowledge of low to high tech AAC materials, devices and software. • Participants will increase knowledge of AAC implementation in therapy, in the classroom, in the home and in the community. • Participants will understand strategies for success in using a communication system • Participants will increase knowledge of AAC resources. • Participants will create materials using Boardmaker software

4. Crying Eye contact Sounds Words Pointing Falling asleep Screaming Silence Communication boards Picture exchange system Voice output systems Gestures/signing Hair-pulling Body position Name some ways we communicate

5. Augmentative/Alternative CommunicationAAC *refers to the ways (other than speech) that are used to send a message from one person to another (ASHA, 2005) Examples • Communication boards/books/picture symbols • Voice output communication devices (VOCAs) now referred to as (SGD) Speech Generating Device • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) • Morse Code • Eye Gaze

6. AAC is not…. “Giving up” on speech Only for those of a certain IQ Only the job of the speech-language pathologist Just “HIGH TECH” devices A “one-time only” endeavor

7. AAC can be a vehicle for developing:expressive languagereceptive languageliteracycontrol over the environmentcommunication initiation

8. Which leads to… • increased academic success • increased participation in social situations • increased self-esteem • increased job opportunities • And more…

9. Individuals Who Might Benefit from Visual Tools… • Learning Disabilities • Developmental Delays • Traumatic Brain Injury • Down Syndrome • Autism Spectrum Disorder • And many more… • Pre-Readers • Communication Delays/Disorders • English Language Learners • Attention Deficit Disorder • Comprehension Problems

10. Assessment • ASNAT • AT Checklist/AT Wheel • STAGES • ATLAS • Evaluware • TASP Test of Aided-Communication Symbol Performance • Communication Matrix • www.designtolearn.com • Online Free/hard copy $8.00

11. Online Communication Matrix • The Communication Matrix is an assessment tool designed to pinpoint exactly how a child is currently communicating and to provide a framework for determining logical communication goals. • This online version was designed especially for parents • The parent version is designed to be "user friendly" • Results on a one page Profile

14. Showcasing Low to High Tech AACThe WATI Continuum Communication board or book Eye gaze frame Simple voice output device Voice output device with levels Voice output device with icon sequencing Voice output device with dynamic display Devices with speech synthesis that use typing

15. Communication Boards Should Include... • Vocabulary that reflects all 4 categories • Wants & Needs • Exchanging Information • Social Interactions • Social Etiquette • Using the available symbols, could you communicate about an activity in all categories?

16. Communication Boards http://www.angelfire.com/pa5/as/asteachersites.html

17. Communication book www.autismshop.com

18. Placement of Communication Boards • Mount on Wheel Chair • On Desk/table • On locker • On Wall/ by bathroom/ sink • Play areas • Work area • Kitchen area

19. Eye Gaze Frame

20. Simple Voice Output Device AbleNet www.ablenetinc.com/ BIGmack Switch (800) 322-0956

21. Voice Output Device with Levels http://www.amdi.net/ www.attainmentcompany.com

22. Voice Output with Icon Sequencing Pathfinder, Prentke-Romich Company http://www.prentrom.com

23.                                           . Voice Output with Dynamic Display Mercury DV 4 and MT 4 E-Talk Palmtop

24. Tango by Blink Twicewww.blink-twice.com

25. Speaking Dynamically Pro • AAC Software with speech output • www.mayer-johnson.com • Windows and Mac • Create personalized dynamic, multilevel, talking boards • $649.00

26. Type and Talk speech Synthesis

27. Tablet PC Speech Assistantwww.herbi.org

28. Terms/definitions • VOCA – Voice Output Communication Device • SGD – Speech Generating Device

29. Companies handling dynamic display devices • www.dynasys.com DV4, MT4, MightyMo, DynaWrite • www.prentrom.com Pathfinder, Vantage, Vanguard, Springboard • www.aacconnections.com Mercury, MiniMerc, Enkidu • www.blinktwice.com Tango • www.attainmentcompany.com E-talk

30. More onCommunication Symbols

31. Like Again Show me Whole Past Fast Correct Short Tomorrow Word Communication That’s crazy!

32. Communication Symbol Guideline • LINE DRAWINGS • PICTURE COMMUNICATION SYMBOLS • TEXT W/ PICTURES • TEXT & LETTERS • REAL OBJECTS • TANGIBLE SYMBOLS • TOBIs (true object-based icons) • COLOR PHOTOS • BLACK & WHITE PHOTOS

33. Object Communication Systemwww.adaptivation.com

34. Tangible Symbols • Tangible symbols are objects or pictures that stand for or represent something about which we need to communicate.

35. A T.O.B.I. can be a line drawing, photograph etc. which is cut out in the actual shape of the item it represents

36. When Billy gets home from school…

37. Line Symbols

38. Picture Communication Symbols

39. Text with Pictures

40. Communication Board with words/letters/numbers

41. Ideas for Using AAC • In Therapy • In the Classroom • In the Home • In the Community • Behavior Regulation

42. Why Use Visual Tools and Strategies… Hodgdon, 2002 • Give students information about their activities • Prepare students for what will or will not happen • Reduce the anxiety that comes from the unexpected, especially during transition times • Help students understand the concept of “finished” • Provide the structure for appropriate behavior and participation • Support communication and conversation

43. AAC in Therapy • Schedules and Calendars • Tools to Give Information • Tools to Make Choices and Requests • Tools for Protesting and Rejecting • Tools for Behavior Regulation

44. Picture Schedules • What is it? A visual representation of a span of time or of a specific activity. • When? They can be used to help cue a child as to what comes next (e.g., put on snow pants, put on boots, put on coat, put on mittens) • How? Mount picture symbols or labeled photos on magnetic board, tag board with Velcro, or tape and have the board with you during that activity. Model use of it so the child can eventually perform the task independently.

45. www.autismshop.com

47. Tools to Give Information “Behavior problems emerge because what the student is expecting and what is really happening are not the same.” Linda Hodgdon, 2002 Calming down board Rule Cards (“When I get to the gym, I sit on the red line.”) International NO Lightning Bolt Activity Termination Symbols Social stories w/ or without picture supports Card to hold (WAIT)

48. Making Choices and RequestsHodgdon, 2002 *Student may need to LEARN what it means to make a choice *Start with highly desirable choices *Choices often motivate the student to communicate *Offer immediate reinforcement for their choice *Choice-making can be practiced multiple times per day *Adults can structure the choices provided

49. What to choose, what to choose… • Which snack to eat • Which toy to play with • Which seat to sit in • Which person to walk with • Which cereal to buy • Which washcloth to use • Which job to do • Which CD to listen to • Which book to read

50. Tools for protesting or rejecting • http://www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/sped/autism/assist/asst13.htm