WELCOME TO AAC FALL 2018 WELCOME Quotable Quote
WELCOME TO AAC FALL 2018
WELCOME! Quotable Quote: “There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. ” -Albert Einstein Thought: Let us see everything as a “miracle” this term! Objectives for the day: 1. Intro to AAC (basic info) 2. Overall picture of what AAC clinic is about and supervisor expectations Ice Breaker Question: What do you personally want to come away from the AAC clinic with? Any concerns or fears?
PAST AAC EXPERIENCES? Share!
CHALLENGES TO ACHIEVING BILL OF RIGHTS “Most natural speakers, no matter what their profession, are not prepared to interact with persons who use AAC techniques. ” • Sarah Blackstone, editor, Augmentative Communication News
“For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier; for people with disabilities, technology makes things possible. ” Mary Pat Radabaugh, a former employee with the IBM Disability Support Center
CURRENT TERMINOLOGY Speech generating devices (SGDs) Individuals with complex communication needs (CCN)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… “What is AAC? ”
“WHAT IS AAC? ” Augmentative and Alternative Communication A set of procedures and processes by which an individual's communication skills (i. e. , production as well as comprehension) can be maximized for functional and effective communication. Supplementing or replacing natural speech with symbols. Beukelman & Mirenda, 1998; Glennen & De. Coste, 1997; Lloyd, Fuller, & Arvidson, 1997.
“WHAT IS AAC? ” AAC involves multiple modalities to help people communicate: “No-tech”: • vocalizations, verbal approximations • gestures, sign language • facial expressions, eye-gaze • postural change/tone “Low-tech”: • tactile cue/tangible symbols, objects • pictures (labels, photographs, Picture Communication Symbols) “High-tech”: • speech generating devices • mobile technology
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… “Who might use AAC? ”
“WHO MIGHT USE AAC? ” Those that have not acquired functional spoken language or have lost language Including, but not limited to those with: • Developmental disabilities • Acquired disabilities • Progressive conditions • Temporary needs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… “Why use AAC? ”
“WHY USE AAC? ” To provide a means for communication To increase receptive language (vocabulary and syntax) To increase speech To increase social interaction To improve behavior To increase participation To demonstrate knowledge To improve literacy skills
LEAST DANGEROUS ASSUMPTION “The criterion of least dangerous assumption holds that in the absence of conclusive data, educational decisions ought to be based on assumptions which, if incorrect, will have the least dangerous effect on the likelihood that students will be able to function independently as adults” (Donnellan, 1985)”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… “Will the use of AAC stop my client from speaking? ”
“WILL THE USE OF AAC STOP MY CLIENT FROM SPEAKING? ” No! Research has shown that it INCREASES the development of speech.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… “Does there need to be a gap between receptive and expressive language? ”
“DOES THERE NEED TO BE A GAP BETWEEN RECEPTIVE AND EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE? ” No! AAC strategies can be utilized to teach receptive language.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… “When do I explore the use of AAC? ”
“WHEN DO I EXPLORE THE USE OF AAC? ” Ask yourself, “Does my client have a functional means to communicate? ” If the answer is no, explore the use of AAC. Keep in mind, working on speech and AAC are not mutually exclusive. You can work on both simultaneously. Use AAC to provide your client with a means to communicate while continuing to work on developing speech.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… “What is the timeline for using a speech generating device or other AAC system? ”
“WHAT IS THE TIMELINE…? ” It depends on the individual. Some individuals may need to rely on a speech generating device for their entire life. Some rely on it as a primary means of communication, others only use it as a tool during communication breakdowns Others use is as a tool to develop their speech and language and eventually no longer need to rely on it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… “Should I work on responding to yes/no questions? ”
“SHOULD I WORK ON RESPONDING TO YES/NO QUESTIONS? ” Be cognizant of a client’s receptive language skills. People need to have the receptive language to understand the question they are being asked.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… “Should we use sign language? ”
“SHOULD WE USE SIGN LANGUAGE? ” Sign language is an efficient and functional means of communication. It is limiting, in that, communication can only occur with other people who know sign language. Other strategies should be used in conjunction with sign language.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… “Can I use my i. Pad? ”
“CAN I USE MY IPAD? ” The i. Pad can be a highly functional tool. However, an assessment needs to occur to determine the child’s understanding of and ability to use visual representations paired with voice output as a functional means of communication.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… “Is using AAC easy? ”
“IS USING AAC EASY? ” In a word……NO!! There will be many challenges: 1. technology 2. speed 3. new learning 4. behavior 5. environment 6. many more
SO… WHY USE AAC? • Communication is the essence of human interaction and learning. • Communication is what makes us uniquely human, all individuals have the right to communicate to their fullest potential (American Speech-Language. Hearing Association, 2005).
10 THINGS I WISH MY TEACHER KNEW ABOUT AAC (ASHA AND CALLIER CENTER, DALLAS) 1. I wish my teacher would joke with me. 2. I wish my teacher would learn how to work my communication device. 3. I wish my teacher would stop shouting at me like I can’t hear. 4. I wish my teacher would remember that I don’t always spell very well. 5. I wish my teacher wouldn’t have a heart attack when my device doesn’t work.
10 THINGS I WISH MY TEACHER KNEW ABOUT AAC (ASHA AND CALLIER CENTER, DALLAS) 6. I wish my teacher would have more patience with me. 7. I wish my teacher wouldn’t hit my machine when it doesn’t work-that’s my mouth she’s hitting! 8. I wish my teacher would call on me for Share Day. 9. I wish my teacher would give me enough time to say what I’m thinking. 10. I wish I could walk and talk like my sister and brother.
VIDEO What clients want YOU to know as a new clinician…
STATE OF THE FIELD: AAC An estimated 25% of children who would benefit from AAC do not have access. Of those that do have AAC systems, an estimated 75% of them have been reported abandoned in their first year of use (Desch et al. , 2008). Children, without the ability to produce natural speech or access to AAC are at risk for developmental delays or the exacerbation of existing disabling conditions (Whitehead, 1992). An estimated 40% to 60% of children with disabilities affecting their speech and language development do not receive treatment before entering school (Law, Boyle, Harris, Harkness, Nye, 1998).
RESOURCES Beukelman, D. , & Mirenda, P. (2005). Supporting Children & Adults with Complex Communication Needs (3 rd ed. ). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. Additional powerpoint content shared by Children’s CO, AAC Team
- Slides: 37
