Augmentative and Alternative Communication Teacher SLP consult with

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Teacher SLP consult with AAC specialist Case If consult with SLP Manager schedules IEP meeting IEP team recommends an evaluation Referral Procedures

Documentation ◦ Signed Evaluation Plan and meeting notes ◦ Copy of recent Speech and Language Eval ◦ Complete AAC/AT referral form ◦ Pragmatic Profile (parent/teacher/SLP) Referral Procedures

“A child who uses speech will independently select the words she wishes to use from the vast array of words she hears/sees used everyday. ” “A child who uses AAC will independently select the words she wishes to use from the vocabulary other people have chosen to model and, for aided symbols, made available for her to use. ” Poter and Kirkland, 1995 Challenge

People supporting children learning to communicate using aided symbols need to…. ◦ predict and provide sufficient vocabulary to meet communication needs ◦ stimulate the further development of communication and language skills More Challenges

INPUT OUTPUT Spoken Language Development Spoken Language

INPUT OUTPUT Child Learning Aided Symbols Spoken Language Aided Language

Aim to create a language learning environment with more balance in the modes of communication used for receptive input and those the child is learning to use expressively. INPUT Aided Language Spoken Language OUTPUT Aided Language (Spoken Language)

Prospective users must be provided with frequent examples of interactive, generative use to acquire any semblance of proficiency. Goossens’, Crain and Elder (1988) Duh!

Typically developing child by 18 months has been exposed to 4, 380 waking hours of oral language. Typical AAC user exposed to 2 x/week for 30 minutes would take 84 years to have same level of exposure. Statistics

Typically developing child will demonstrate language competency around 9 -12 years of age having been immersed and practicing oral language for 36, 500 hours. Typical AAC user exposed to 2 x/week for 30 minutes would take 701 years to have same level of exposure. Jane Korsten (2011) QIAT Listserv Statistics

NOT choice making boards Modeling how to initiate and maintain conversation, not just respond Aided Language Displays

Core Vocabulary: high frequency words which can be combined to get a message across Fringe related Vocabulary: low frequency, topic Core Vocabulary Displays

PODD is a way of organizing whole word and symbol vocabulary in a communication book or VOD to provide immersion and modeling for learning. (www. novita. org. au) Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD)

PODDs have different formats depending on the individual physical, sensory, and communication needs. Style

Developed over 15 years by Gayle Porter Students with CP and expanded to students with complex communication needs Development

How to model PODD system

Model the student’s means of initiating conversation (e. g. , raising hand, establishing eye contact, etc. ) How to model PODD

Always start on the Front Page

Conversation starters

Follow branch pathways and operational symbols.

Speak aloud as you touch a symbol.

Repeat the message.

Being a Smart Partner

Let’s try it!

Let’s try it!

What about the measurable goals?

Johnny will show interest and attention to someone using an aided communication system by: looking toward the symbols or partner, calming during process, looking away but appearing to listen, or responding to the message a minimum of 10 x/day over a variety of contexts. Date Opportunity Presented Child Attended Type of Attention 9/30 lllll l Looked, smiled Operational Competency

Johnny will relate information or tell a story by providing sufficient information for his partner to understand his specific message in 4/5 morning circle times over a 3 week observation period. Johnny will use appropriate syntactical forms to provide sufficient information to enable listener to understand message without contextual cues. Linguistic Competency

Johnny will increase the number of communication intents/functions used to 5 across a school day on 4/5 days Johnny will initiate communication with at least 5 different communication partners across a school day on 4/5 days. Social Competency

How to enhance communication beyond the system. Strategic Competency

Move on!