|
What are the types of AAC systems? When children or adults cannot use speech to communicate effectively in all situations, there are options.
- Unaided communication systems – An individual uses body to convey messages such as using body and/or sign language, gestures.
- Aided communication systems – An individual uses tools or equipment in addition to the user's body such as paper and pencil, communication boards or book, voice output devices/speech generating devices, electronic communication devices to use symbols, letters, and/or words and phrases to create messages which can be programmed to produce different spoken languages depending on individual first language.
These AAC systems can be either a non tech, low tech, mid tech or high tech communication system.
- Non tech system does not require a power source: eg. PECS, Communication boards, Communication books, Picture exchange system etc.
- A low tech system requires a power source and can be easily programmed: eg. single switch buttons such as big Mac, italk2, step by step etc.
- Mid tech systems requires a power source and requires some amount of training to program and maintain the device. eg. Static display system with choices of more than 2 button ranging from 2 to 32 buttons on a page or more.
- A high tech system requires a power source and extensive training to program and maintain the device. Dynamic display system which can be symbolic based or text to speech based devices.
How do people use AAC systems?
Access is the way an individual makes selections on a communication board or speech generating device. There are two primary ways that people access the AAC system. They are direct selection & scanning.
Direct selection – includes pointing with a body part such as a finger, hand, or toe, or through the use of a pointing device such as a beam of light, headstick, or mouthstick. Those with severe physical impairments may need to access systems by using a switch. The switches can be turned on with a body part, puff of air, or wrinkle of an eyebrow. Direct selection can also be through eye gaze system.
Scanning – one type involves the use of lights on a system that pass over each choice and the user activates a switch to stop the light and pick a choice, other types are auditory scanning and scan patterns ( such as row/column, quadrant, step, and linear). Scanning requires less motor control but possibly more cognitive skill than direct selection access.
How do I know what kind of AAC is best for me or a loved one?
The process of selecting an appropriate AAC system or device can be best met by an evaluation by a team of professionals consisting of
Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, classroom teacher, vision specialist and their family members
and is led by an AAC consultant who has expertise in selecting and implementing AAC systems or devices.
Based on the initial evaluation,
the AAC consultant may recommend a trial of such system for a period time to gather data for the efficacy/appropriateness of the system.
After a decision has been made to select an AAC system, it is important to have professional follow-up. This may simply be a one-time
training or may require speech-language services that focus on the development of communication using the system over a period of time.
It is also possible that over time, team members may reconvene and update/change the recommendations as the person's needs may change.
Some of the companies offering different AAC devices or products can be reviewed by clicking the links below:
|
