What is AUGMENTATIVE and Alternative Communication (AAC)?
Video: Introducing AAC |
Augmentative & Alternative CommunicationAugmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is all forms of communication that is used to express thoughts, needs, etc. when people are unable to use verbal or oral speech.
All people use facial expressions or gestures, writing, symbols and pictures to communicate, which can be considered AAC. |
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People with serious speech or language problems rely on AAC as a support for existing speech habits or a substitute for speech that is not practical or functional.
AAC aids and devices may involve communication boards and electronic devices that help individuals to more freely express themselves in all areas of their life, from social interaction to self-image. AAC aids and devices are used to enhance and assist communication of a person. They do not affect a person's speech in a suppressive or restrictive way. In fact, AAC can be temporary such as for children whose speech is still developing. Whether temporary or permanent, AAC is beneficial for both the user and his or her loved ones because of the fuller communication made possible. Using electronic AAC devices is even more beneficial as technology advances. Electronic communication aids utilize picture symbols, letters, words, and phrases to create messages. Other devices may even be programmed to produce different spoken languages. |
The two types of AAC systemsUnaided communication systems - communication using solely the body to convey messages. (e.g. gestures, body language, sign language)
Aided communication systems - communication that requires the use of a device, tools or equipment to assist a user's body. [e.g. paper and pencil, communication books, communication boards, speech generating devices (SGD's)] |
AAC devices are recognized and used as an appropriate supplement or treatment for people with severe speech and language impairments cause by disorders such as dysarthria, dyspraxia/apraxia, and aphasia.
(scroll down below for more information on dysarthria and dyspraxia or click the link above to learn more about aphasia)
(scroll down below for more information on dysarthria and dyspraxia or click the link above to learn more about aphasia)
Finding THE appropriate AAC
Since reasons for needing AAC vary and are unique to each individual it's important to always work with a professional speech language pathologist (SLP) or assistive technology (AT) professional or expert who can help a child's team evaluate his or her situation and identify the most appropriate AAC solution.
Several factors that need to be considered:
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AT Solutions
An AAC Aid device is any device whether electronic or not that may be used to transmit and receive messages.
LOW TECH: Simple communication aids that need no electronics or battery operation
EX: communication book or board, eye gaze boards, picture exchange communication systems (PECS), pragmatic organization dynamic display (PODD |
MID TECH: Minimally complex communication aids that require batteries
EX: button switches, static display devices, progressive communicators. |
HIGH TECH: complex communication aids with electronic components and require training
EX: iPad (apps: Proloquo2Go, LAMP Words for life, TouchChat, MyTalk), dynamic display aids, text-to-speech devices (ECO2, Dynavox, Tobii)
EX: iPad (apps: Proloquo2Go, LAMP Words for life, TouchChat, MyTalk), dynamic display aids, text-to-speech devices (ECO2, Dynavox, Tobii)
DysArthria
Types of Dysarthria:
Flaccid dysarthria: loss of muscle tone, causes muscle weakness; breathy weak speech, difficulty with intonation (expressive tone or pitch) and consonants
Spastic dysarthria: excess muscle tension, over-sensitive reflexes, strained or strangled sound
Ataxic dysarthria: difficulty in coordination of the rate, range, and force of speech movements.
Hyperkinetic dysarthria: loss of inhibitory control, that leads to involuntary movements that inhibit the speech, limits the amount, range, and force of movement
Flaccid dysarthria: loss of muscle tone, causes muscle weakness; breathy weak speech, difficulty with intonation (expressive tone or pitch) and consonants
Spastic dysarthria: excess muscle tension, over-sensitive reflexes, strained or strangled sound
Ataxic dysarthria: difficulty in coordination of the rate, range, and force of speech movements.
Hyperkinetic dysarthria: loss of inhibitory control, that leads to involuntary movements that inhibit the speech, limits the amount, range, and force of movement
Symptoms of dysarthria depend on the location of damage to the nervous system.
(ex: slurred speech, soft or barely whispered speech, slow rate of speech, rapid mumbling, limited movement, hoarseness, breathiness) Speech-language Pathologists evaluate and diagnose dysarthria by examining movement of the lips, tongue, and face, breath support for speech, voice quality, etc. |
AAC Devices: Aside from speech therapy depending upon the severity of the dysarthria an individual might need the help of a device to communicate.
ex: low tech: communication board, flip cards
high tech: speech synthesizer, text-to-speech devices
For More Information:
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/dysarthria/
http://medicalspeechpathology.wordpress.com/student-handbook/treatment-of-dysarthria/
ex: low tech: communication board, flip cards
high tech: speech synthesizer, text-to-speech devices
For More Information:
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/dysarthria/
http://medicalspeechpathology.wordpress.com/student-handbook/treatment-of-dysarthria/
Dyspraxia
SiGNS OR SYMPTOMS:
Early childhood: A child may have problems with pronouncing words, establishing left and right handedness, eye movement.
School-Age: A child may have problems with fine motor activities (i.e. holding pencil, buttoning), poor grip, letter formation, slow handwriting
Teenage and older: A teen or adult may have problems with speech control (volume, pitch, articulation of words), writing and typing
School-Age: A child may have problems with fine motor activities (i.e. holding pencil, buttoning), poor grip, letter formation, slow handwriting
Teenage and older: A teen or adult may have problems with speech control (volume, pitch, articulation of words), writing and typing
AAC devices: Aside from working to improve daily function with the help of occupational, speech, and physical therapists, to help support natural speech and communication one might use AAC devices depending upon the severity of the dyspraxia.
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ex: low tech: communication boards or books
high tech: iPad or text-to-speech devices, reading and writing apps and software |
For More Information:
http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/dyspraxia/what-is-dyspraxia
http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
**Works cited for this page can be downloaded below. The complete website's works cited is located in the Works Cited tab at the top of this page.**
http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/dyspraxia/what-is-dyspraxia
http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
**Works cited for this page can be downloaded below. The complete website's works cited is located in the Works Cited tab at the top of this page.**
WorksCitedpg2.pdf | |
File Size: | 29 kb |
File Type: |
Educational Assistive Technology by Nicole A. Castillo is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistive-technology-education.