Tag Archives: AAC devices

Low Tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) You Should Know About

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You may be working with a child or an adult that uses an AAC communication device. Are you familiar with low-tech AAC devices?

According to Beukelman and Mirenda (2013), an estimated 1.3 percent of Americans cannot meet their daily needs communication needs using natural speech. Using low-tech AAC is one way to help children and adults with limited communication skills.

What is AAC?

AAC or Augmentative and Alternative Communication includes various methods of communication systems including communication devices, strategies and tools that helps a person communicate their wants, needs and thoughts specifically for children and adults who have limited communication skills.

What are the benefits of using AAC?

Studies show improvement in language development, literacy and communication among users including the use of picture exchange. There is also research that shows people working with an AAC are able to:

  • take turns appropriately
  • request items
  • decrease challenging behavior
  • improve receptive and expressive skills.
Who uses an AAC?

Children with developmental delays including motor, cognitive and physical limitations including children and adults with:

AAC Terminology You Should Know

Communication board- based on the cognitive and physical ability of the person, it is often organized by topic

Eye gaze- used in low-tech AAC by the person looking at an object and selecting the correct item using either the communication board or booklet.

Low-Tech- basic communication aids that include pictures, letters, words, symbols, communication board or picture books that cannot be changed or altered.

The following are links tp AAC core words:

AAC Core Words

70 kids picture books to target core vocabulary AAC (Omazing Kids)

100 High Frequency Core Word List (AAC Language Lab)

Core Word of the Week– The Center for AAC and Autism

Teaching Core Vocabulary– (Praatical AAC)

Low Tech AAC Boards

Eat, Think and Speak– a blog written for medical Speech and Language Pathologist on topics relating to swallowing, communication and cognition. Provides a blog article on free low-tech material including a wide variety of premade communication boards

Project Core– Provide free sample lesson plans focusing on talking with one word at a time to using correct grammar and word order.

 

What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?

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According to the American Speech Language Hearing Association, there are over 2 million people with significant expressive language impairment who use AAC. AAC users including people with the following disorders; autism, cerebral palsy, dual sensory impairments, genetic syndromes, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, hearing impairment, disease, stroke, and head injury.

According to the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Organization. AAC is a set of tools and strategies that an individual uses to solve everyday communicative challenges. Communication can take many forms such as: speech, a shared glance, text, gestures, facial expressions, touch, sign language, symbols, pictures, speech-generating devices, etc. Everyone uses multiple forms of communication, based upon the context and our communication partner. Effective communication occurs when the intent and meaning of one individual is understood by another person. The form is less important than the successful understanding of the message.

The types of AAC includes both low-tech and high tech. Low tech AAC includes symbol charts, PECS,  and communication boards, while high tech AAC include electronic devices such computers, tablets and devices.

The following information provides resources, articles and tips on using AAC:

3 sets of AAC goals for interactive books

5 quick and easy games that build AAC skills

50 simple switch or low tech activities

AAC and Echolalia

AAC for caregivers manual

AAC Quiz

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for students with CVI and multiple disabilities 

How to make an AAC symbol library

Language opportunities to use AAC at home

Low-Tech AAC Ideas

Promoting inclusion and participation for people who use AAC

Reducing prompt dependence in AAC learners: 5 things to try

The periodic table of AAC

Using AAC more in the classroom

Using LIST in PODD communication books

What does it take to implement AAC

 

Assistive Technology Switches for Children and Adults With Physical Disabilities

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Assistive technology devices are identified in the IDEA 2004 as, any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.

Switches fall under this category which allows people with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy to manipulate their environment by controlling various types of adaptive and assistive switches used for environmental control and communication devices.

The following are resources for assistive technology switches:

Ablenet- Helps people with disabilities through the creation of assistive technology. Ablenet provides switches for both children and adults.

Adaptive Tech Solutions– A therapist-owned and operated company which provides adaptive equipment for individuals with disabilities

eSpecial Needs– Provides adaptive switches to children and adults with physical disabilities which allows them to manipulate their environment.

Enabling Devices– Creates customized one-of-a-kind assistive technology devices for communication, education and playing.

Rehabmart– sells inclusive learning devices which help children with impairments including augmentative communication and adaptive toys

Assistive Technology Websites

Glenda Assistive Technology Information and More– A website containing information on various types of assistive technology including visual supports, AAC, switches and tablets

Teaching Learners With Multiple Special Needs- Created by Kate Ahern, an assistive technology specialist. This website serves as a resource for teachers or learners with severe, profound, or multiple special needs. There is a great article on 60 things to do with a single switch 

Articles 

Assistiveware- How to Support a Student Who Uses a Switch Device

Breezy Special Ed- How to use your iPAD as a switch device

Perkins School for the Blind: Favorite Cause and Affect Switch Apps

Understood- Checklist: What to consider when looking at assistive technology

For more ideas and resources, visit my Pinterest Site:  Assistive Technology

 

Augumentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Resources

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Definition

American Speech-Language Hearing Association
International Society For Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Pediatric Therapy Network
Wikipedia

AAC and Autism

The Center for AAC and Autism
No-Tech and Low-Tech AAC for Children with Autism
Autism Speaks

AAC Communication APPS

Friendship Circle
Top 10 AAC Communication Apps for iPad
Apps for AAC
Top 5 AAC Apps- Learning Works

AAC Funding

Glenda’s Assistive Technology Information
Augmentative Communication Inc.