Supporting People who use AAC Strategies

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Supporting People who use AAC Strategies
An Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative
Communication Technology
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Vanguard
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Vangua r d
Alphasmart
Pathfinder
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Track Ball mouse
Intellikeys Keyboard
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Joy stick
2 choice switch
Pathfinder
Vanguard with keyguard
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Introduction to AAC
Communication is a basic need and individual
right of all people.
Communication has 3 purposes

• to socialize and to
• interact with others

• to exchange information

• to make requests

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Expressive Communication includes a variety of
modes

• speech

• pointing

• gestures

• writing

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

• sign language

• gestures

• alphabet or picture systems

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Individuals who can successfully coordinate their
use of an appropriate AAC system will

• exercise control of their lives

• develop independence

• interact with others and express their wishes

• become productive, active members of society

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AAC Vocabulary

• low tech

• accessibility

• high tech

• assistive technology

• scanning

• intervention models

• cause effect

• PCS

• dynamic display

• switch

• alternate keyboard

• symbol

• eye gaze

• message selection

• VOCA

• functional communication

• AT

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AAC Myths

• Myth 1 AAC is only used by people who cannot
  communicate verbally.

• Myth 2 The primary goal of communication is to
  express wants and needs.

• Myth 3 Using AAC will delay speech development.

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AAC Myths

• Myth 4 We should wait to use AAC until a person
  is ready for it.

• Myth 5 We should not overwhelm somebody with
  access to too many symbols.

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AAC Myths

• Myth 6 Somebody who has a VOCA should use it
  all the time.

• Myth 7 An AAC system should be a goal for all
  people who are non-verbal.

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Planning for the Use of AAC Technologies
Team Roles

• student and parents/ caregivers
• speech and language pathologists (SLP)
• classroom teacher, Learning Support Teacher
  (LST), or school-based case manager
• occupational or physical therapist (OT/PT)
• Educational assistant (EA)
• SET-BC

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AAC Assessment

1. Describe current system
2. Identify student needs

Considerations

• Alternate Access

1. Direct Selection
2. Assisted Direct Selection
3.Visual Scanning-for electronic communication
aids
4. Listener Assisted Scanning
5. Auditory Scanning

• Preparing for Adulthood

1. Environment
2. Self-Advocacy / Empowerment
3. Safety / Legal System
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Inclusion Strategies for Students Who Use AAC

• Structure the physical environment to support
  communication.
• Provide frequent opportunities for communication.
• Teach other students in the class to support AAC
  communication.

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More Strategies for working with Students Who Use
AAC

• Expect successful communication from the
  student.
• Give the student enough wait time to
  communicate.
• Respond to the students attempts to communicate.

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More Strategies for working with Students Who Use
AAC

• Try different problem solving strategies if you
  dont understand what they are trying to
  communicate.
• Provide regular ongoing instruction in the use of
  the system.
• Update the messages regularly.

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More Strategies for working with Students Who Use
AAC

• Ensure ongoing training and support for all team
  members.

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Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Communication is a basic need and individual
right of all people.