Augmentative and alternative communication

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Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) refers "to an area of research, clinical, and educational practice. AAC involves attempts to study and when necessary compensate for temporary or permanent impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions of individuals with severe disorders of speech-language production and/or comprehension, including spoken and written modes of communication" (ASHA, 2005, p. 1).

Individuals with severe communication disorders and for whom gestural, speech, and/or written communication is temporarily or permanently inadequate to meet all of their communication needs use AAC.

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Speech may be replaced or augmented by using a variety of modes:

gesture and body language;
manual sign;
handwriting; and
communication aids.

Communication aids are devices developed or adapted for use by people with severe communication impairments. Because these people have very varied skills, needs, and problems, there is a large range of communication aids.

Some people with severe communication impairments can use their hands; others cannot, and have to use alternatives, such as mouth sticks, headsticks, switches or eye-pointing. Some can read and spell; others cannot, and need communication aids on which language elements are represented by pictures or graphic symbols such as Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) or Blissymbols. Some individuals use wheelchairs which can accommodate large communication devices; others walk and need small, light aids. Some have the funds to purchase high tech equipment such as tablet-PC like devices with synthetic speech and multiple input options (dynamic display devices such as Dynavox, Mercury etc.); others do not.

A communication aid may be as simple as a piece of cardboard with an empty potato chips-bag stuck on it to represent a desire for chips, or as complex as a laptop computer, controlled with a switch which speaks and allows the user to talk on the phone, access the Internet, or type an essay.

The best non-speech communication strategy (or combination of strategies) is the one which allows the person with severe communication impairment to communicate as freely as possible, in as many situations as possible, to the maximum number of people.

Assessments for indivuduals with AAC needs may be undertaken by a communication consultancy team who may consist of a speech and language therapy professional, an occupational therapist and/or a clinical scientist.

1 Terminology Used in AAC
2 Symbol Selection Techniques
3 References
4 External links

Terminology Used in AAC

Symbol: Something used to represent another thing or concept. For example, a picture or line drawing of a dog to represent dog.

Symbol Set: A set of symbol that is closed in nature; symbol set can be expanded, but it does not have clearly defined rules for expansion (e.g., Picture communication symbols).

Symbol System: A set of symbol; includes rules or a logic for the development of symbols (e.g., Blissymbols).

Speech Generating Device: An electronic assistive device that produces speech (e.g., Dynavox, Mercury).

VOCA: Voice Output Communication Aid; other term for electronic assistive device producing speech

Assistive Communication Device: Electronic or non-electronic assistive technology device that provides external assistance for communication.

AAC System: An integrated network of symbols, techniques, aids, strategies, and skills.

Input Method: Technique used to select representations of the wanted utterances from an electronic device (e.g., touchscreen selection, eyegaze pointing, switch access)

Tangible Symbols: Tangible symbols are objects or pictures that are used as symbols by individuals who are not able to communicate using more conventional symbol systems. Tangible symbols bear an obvious and concrete relationship to the visual or tactile properties of the entities that they represent. They are a type of “augmentative and alternative communication” (AAC).

Symbol Selection Techniques

Direct Selection: An individual points to the desired symbol using a finger or alternative selection technique (i.e., headpointer or eyegaze pointing).

Scanning: An individual is offered an array of symbols. As the communication system or partner scans through the symbols, the AAC user indicates his/her desired choice by using the alternative selection technique (i.e., pointing, switch access, head nodding) to select the desired symbol.

See also: Blissymbolics

References

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2005). ' 'Roles and responsibilities of speech-language pathologists with respect to alternative communication: Position statement. ASHA Supplement 25, 1-2.

Beukelman, D, & Mirenda, P (2005) Augmentative & Alternative Communication: Supporting Children & Adults With Complex Communication Needs , Paul H Brookes, Baltimore

Rowland, C., & Schweigert, P. (1989). symbols Tangible Symbol Systems: Symbolic communication for individuals with multisensory impairments. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 5(4), 226-234.
Rowland, C., & Schweigert, P. (1996). symbols Tangible Symbol Systems:Tangible Symbol Systems (DVD). Portland, OR: Oregon Health & Science University.
Rowland, C. & Schweigert, P. (2000a). Tsymbols Tangible Symbol Systems:angible symbols, tangible outcomes. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 16 (2), 61-78.
Rowland, C., & Schweigert, P. (2000b). symbols Tangible Symbol Systems:Tangible Symbol Systems (2nd Ed.). Portland, OR: Oregon Health & Science University.