ACE-D ; Augmentative ACE-D ; Augmentative Communication Evaluation for Communication Evaluation for

DevicesDevices

Debby McBride, MS, CCC-SLP Debby McBride, MS, CCC-SLP

& important others& important others

AAC Device Evaluations –SimplifiedAAC Device Evaluations –Simplified

Debby McBride, MS., CCC-SLPDebby McBride, MS., CCC-SLP

& important others& important others

ExperienceExperience

ClinicianClinicianManufacturer’s representativeManufacturer’s representativeMulti-line dealerMulti-line dealerFunding Funding ClinicianClinician

* Perspective* Perspective

* Awareness of what people are * Awareness of what people are doing / not doing; looking for / finding / not findingdoing / not doing; looking for / finding / not finding

Important othersImportant others

Students / patients / consumersStudents / patients / consumers

Fellow cliniciansFellow clinicians

Clinicians with AAC focusClinicians with AAC focus– EducationalEducational– MedicalMedical– PrivatePrivate

ManufacturersManufacturers

Multi-line dealers Multi-line dealers

Funding expertsFunding experts

WHAT is the ACE-D?WHAT is the ACE-D?

Web-based evaluation tool – specifically Web-based evaluation tool – specifically for devicesfor devices

Assumes that individual has some Assumes that individual has some understanding of symbolsunderstanding of symbols

DYNAMIC – and most current changes DYNAMIC – and most current changes are available on the web at are available on the web at

aacPartners.comaacPartners.com

aacPartners.comaacPartners.com

Website providing a variety of resourcesWebsite providing a variety of resources

Networks manufacturers, multi-lineNetworks manufacturers, multi-line

Dealers, clinicians, AT teams, consumersDealers, clinicians, AT teams, consumers

Providing products . . . . Including ACE-DProviding products . . . . Including ACE-D

What is in the ACE-D?What is in the ACE-D?

3 modules3 modules

11 Documentation AssistantDocumentation Assistant

22 Assessment AssistantAssessment Assistant

33 Device Selection AssistantDevice Selection Assistant

Documentation AssistantDocumentation Assistant

helps to gather informationhelps to gather information

identifies areas which may need to be identifies areas which may need to be assessedassessed

assists in simplifying paperwork for assists in simplifying paperwork for writing reports and acquiring fundingwriting reports and acquiring funding

Device Selection AssistantDevice Selection Assistant

a web-based database thata web-based database that

– Saves you time in locating product information Saves you time in locating product information on AAC devices (SGD’s)on AAC devices (SGD’s)

– Provides current and up-to-date information Provides current and up-to-date information about most AAC devices (75 + devices)about most AAC devices (75 + devices)

Assessment AssistantAssessment Assistant

Ideas will assist in your evaluationIdeas will assist in your evaluation

– Utilize what you have ?? (digitized, dynamic Utilize what you have ?? (digitized, dynamic display, integrated systems, computer and display, integrated systems, computer and peripherals) peripherals)

– Use your computer and peripherals as an Use your computer and peripherals as an evaluation tool *evaluation tool *

– Provide materials for areas which need to be Provide materials for areas which need to be assessed *assessed *

WHY?WHY?

Evaluation situationsEvaluation situations– IdealIdeal– Reality; examples of SGD’sReality; examples of SGD’s– Limited access to SGD’sLimited access to SGD’s– Older examples of SGD’sOlder examples of SGD’s– Computers and peripheralsComputers and peripherals– NoneNone

WHO ?WHO ?

AAC / AT specialistsAAC / AT specialists

Less experienced cliniciansLess experienced clinicians

Someone in betweenSomeone in between

PhilosophyPhilosophy

Use the tools you have available to assess Use the tools you have available to assess skills skills Cost effective way to do basic evaluationsCost effective way to do basic evaluationsDetermine device features based on what Determine device features based on what you findyou findDo research to find the devices which Do research to find the devices which match the skills and needsmatch the skills and needsFind your local resources and evaluate Find your local resources and evaluate equipment appropriateness equipment appropriateness

Evaluation Evaluation

Ask questions for you to considerAsk questions for you to consider– In addition to what you are doingIn addition to what you are doing

OrOr

– As a guideline for what you are doingAs a guideline for what you are doing

Leads to you to the skills they haveLeads to you to the skills they have

. . . . . Features on the device they need. . . . . Features on the device they need

Various formsVarious forms

– Provide premade vocabulary and Provide premade vocabulary and communication boards (low tech)communication boards (low tech)

– Provide premade overlays for devices which Provide premade overlays for devices which you already have (digitized)you already have (digitized)

– Provide dynamic display software for your Provide dynamic display software for your computercomputer

– Provide vocabulary for your dynamic display Provide vocabulary for your dynamic display devicesdevices

Ask questions. . . Finding answersAsk questions. . . Finding answers

ExamplesExamples of areas to consider of areas to consider

What is the access method? *What is the access method? *

What type of symbols are best *What type of symbols are best *– CharacteristicsCharacteristics– Presentation of symbolsPresentation of symbols

Size of picturesSize of pictures No. of picturesNo. of pictures size of target areasize of target area

– Digitized examplesDigitized examples– Options on devices Options on devices

4”, 6.4 “, 8.4”, 12.1”, etc.4”, 6.4 “, 8.4”, 12.1”, etc.

Language RepresentationLanguage Representation

single meaning pictures / iconssingle meaning pictures / icons

multi-meaning pictures (semantic multi-meaning pictures (semantic compaction)compaction)

Text- based programs: i.e. reading; Text- based programs: i.e. reading; spellingspelling

Message formulationMessage formulation

Routine messagesRoutine messages– Prestore messagesPrestore messages– How to retrieve quicklyHow to retrieve quickly

Formulate messagesFormulate messages– Message bar; text, pictures, bothMessage bar; text, pictures, both

Change pages; digitized, dynamic *Change pages; digitized, dynamic *

Rate EnhancementRate Enhancement

Sentences/phrases usedSentences/phrases used

PredictionPrediction– LetterLetter– Word . . . . . Alphabetic; frequency; recencyWord . . . . . Alphabetic; frequency; recency– Picture prediction *Picture prediction *

Abbreviation expansionAbbreviation expansion

Semantic compaction *Semantic compaction *

FormForm

Premade vocabulary Premade vocabulary – Based on ageBased on age– Based on abilitiesBased on abilities– Based on simplicity . . . . . ComplexityBased on simplicity . . . . . Complexity– Based on individual device optionsBased on individual device options

diagonal screen / picture sizediagonal screen / picture size

High tech; light tech; low techHigh tech; light tech; low tech

Other considerationsOther considerations

List of accessoriesList of accessories– What do you need?What do you need?– What is available? – work with company/repWhat is available? – work with company/rep– Checklist . . . Checklist . . .

Funding sourcesFunding sources– Medical funding Medicare; Medicaid; private Medical funding Medicare; Medicaid; private

insuranceinsurance– Other . . . Educational; vocational; privateOther . . . Educational; vocational; private

Consider Training Needs / SupportConsider Training Needs / Support

What companies provideWhat companies provide– Individual trainingIndividual training– Local reps trainingLocal reps training– Group trainingsGroup trainings– Virtual classroomVirtual classroom– On-line supports (hook “in”)On-line supports (hook “in”)– Technical supportsTechnical supports– TutorialsTutorials

Consider funding needs/optionsConsider funding needs/options

Manufacturer does /assists in fundingManufacturer does /assists in funding

Manufacturer does not assist in fundingManufacturer does not assist in funding

Only part of the device cost will be paidOnly part of the device cost will be paid

What about caps and “allowables” on what What about caps and “allowables” on what will be covered.will be covered.

Completing the paperwork required for Completing the paperwork required for insurance purposes (doctor, family, SLP)insurance purposes (doctor, family, SLP)

Some highlightsSome highlights

Identified Beta sitesIdentified Beta sites

Trial prepared materialsTrial prepared materials

Give feedbackGive feedback

Add in their own materialsAdd in their own materials

Web-based product to go and getWeb-based product to go and get– Premade overlays/boards (dynamic display Premade overlays/boards (dynamic display

software) / vocabularysoftware) / vocabulary

Your inputYour input

What do you need ?What do you need ?Example: I would like to see a way for me Example: I would like to see a way for me to evaluate which is the best language to evaluate which is the best language representation system for my student.representation system for my student.– Materials; single meaning; multiple meaning;Materials; single meaning; multiple meaning;

alphabet methodsalphabet methods– ResearchResearch– Local resourcesLocal resources– Team decisionTeam decision

Device Selection Assistant –Device Selection Assistant –DSADSA

a web-based database thata web-based database that– Saves you time in locating product information Saves you time in locating product information

on AAC devices (SGD’s)on AAC devices (SGD’s)– Provides current and up-to-date information Provides current and up-to-date information

about most AAC devicesabout most AAC devices– Currently contains 75+ voice output devices Currently contains 75+ voice output devices

currently on the market in the US; ranging currently on the market in the US; ranging from the simplest to the most complexfrom the simplest to the most complex

– Helps you research the devices available Helps you research the devices available based on your specific needsbased on your specific needs

How does it work?How does it work?

Go to aacPartners.comGo to aacPartners.com

Locate DEVICE SELECTIONS GUIDELocate DEVICE SELECTIONS GUIDE

Select log-in informationSelect log-in information

Do search – see resultsDo search – see results

Do research & trialDo research & trial

Current devices availableCurrent devices available

Locate devicesLocate devices– Loaners; look at and try optionsLoaners; look at and try options

Loan bank . . . . considerationsLoan bank . . . . considerations

Local rep – manufacturer and dealerLocal rep – manufacturer and dealer

Research current devices - Research current devices - Device Selection Assistant Device Selection Assistant

ExamplesExamples

Other considerationsOther considerations

Device styles ***Device styles ***– Tablet with touchscreenTablet with touchscreen– Tablet with on-screen keyboardTablet with on-screen keyboard– Table with plug-in keyboardTable with plug-in keyboard– Integrated keyboardIntegrated keyboard– Overlays / static displayOverlays / static display

How does it work?How does it work?

Go to aacPartners.com ***Go to aacPartners.com ***

Locate DEVICE SELECTIONS GUIDELocate DEVICE SELECTIONS GUIDE

Select log-in informationSelect log-in information

Do search – see resultsDo search – see results

DSADSA

Free “trial” search which revealsFree “trial” search which reveals– Variety of devices for your considerationVariety of devices for your consideration– Allows you to search according to device Allows you to search according to device

“categories”“categories”– Gives you basic information at no chargeGives you basic information at no charge

CostCost

Size / weightSize / weight

Medicare version/ codeMedicare version/ code

Fee for service optionFee for service option

Side-by-side comparisons of devices you Side-by-side comparisons of devices you selectselect

Specifications with large amount of Specifications with large amount of information; hardware and some softwareinformation; hardware and some software

Software comparisons are comingSoftware comparisons are coming

Flyers of manufacturer’s info and contact Flyers of manufacturer’s info and contact informationinformation

HandoutsHandouts

aacPartners.comaacPartners.com– EventsEvents– ATIAATIA– HandoutsHandouts