Communication and Augmentative and Alternative
Communication Supports
What is AAC?
“Any device, system, or method that
improves the ability of a child with a communication impairment to
communicate effectively” YAACK
Unaided Communication
• Any means of communication that uses one’s body
• Gestures• Facial expressions• Eye gaze• Vocalizations• Sign language
Aided Communication
• Any means of communication outside of one’s body
• Pictures• Symbols• Printed words on paper• AAC devices
• Aided AAC can be further divided • Low tech• Mid tech• High tech
Low Tech AAC
• Involve no electricity• Simplest and most
often the least expensive tools
• Easily made and quickly accessed
• Can be used as a primary or secondary means of communication
Mid Tech AAC
• 1-4 messages• Battery powered • Recorded speech
output• Options to use
objects, photographs, or pictures
Take or Place N’ Talk
Enabling Devices
BIGmack Communicator
AbleNet
Talkable
Enabling Devices
Mid Tech AAC
• Greater number of messages
• Battery powered• Recorded speech output• Ability to have messages
on multiple levels• May have alternative
modes of access – visual and scanning
Tech Talk
AMDIGoTalk
Attainment
Turn N’ Talk
Frame Technologies
High Tech AAC
• Dedicated AAC devices• Computer based features• Preprogrammed
communication software• Requires access to
electricity • Dynamic display feature
Springboard Lite
Prentke-Romach
M3
Dynavox
Tango
BlinkTwice
High Tech AAC
• Non-dedicated AAC• Computer based
features• Word processing• Educational software• Internet connection • Communication
software
• Examples:• Laptop computers• Tablet PC’s• PDA’s
The ‘V’
DynaVox
Chat PC3
Satillo
Say It Sam
Words+
Mercury
Assistive Technology
AAC Device Trials
• Describe the features needed for a communication tool across all instructional environments
• Explore all potential solutions • Collect performance data on each tool • Performance data supports or disproves
solutions tried• Performance data evaluates outcomes and
measures student performance toward goals
Michigan Integrated Technology Supports (MITS)
• Located at Central Michigan University
• Supports a lending library of AAC devices
• 6 week loan cycle
• Email or call for information on:• Wait time for loan• Available items and new items in library
What About Medicaid?
• AAC assessment - Department of Communication Disorders at CMU
• Fill out a pre-assessment form• Student, parents, SLP, teacher attend evaluation• Assessments are done on Wednesday’s• 2-3 hours trying different devices• CMU will generate an AAC report for Medicaid• Medicaid will replace a device every 3 years for
people under 26• Be persistent – it takes up to a year for approval
www.livingstonesa.org
Top Related