Background Information About Agumentative Communication
Augmentative communication systems allow students that once would
not have been able to participate in the classroom now incorporated and active
in the classroom. Augmentative communication systems are used by students that are nonspeaking or unable to express themselves through spoken language.
Communication systems can be unaided which means that only the person’s body is used for communication. For example an unaided communication system would be sign language. Aided communication systems are systems that have external components such as equipment. For example an alphabet board or a symbol board can be an aided system. (Dell, Newton and Petroff,2012)
not have been able to participate in the classroom now incorporated and active
in the classroom. Augmentative communication systems are used by students that are nonspeaking or unable to express themselves through spoken language.
Communication systems can be unaided which means that only the person’s body is used for communication. For example an unaided communication system would be sign language. Aided communication systems are systems that have external components such as equipment. For example an alphabet board or a symbol board can be an aided system. (Dell, Newton and Petroff,2012)
Low Tech
Students who require an augmentative communications system should always have a low tech system. These low tech systems are a way for the student to explore voice-output . Some items that the team or teacher should consider when creating a Low Tech AAC are: the type of symbols the student can recognize, the number of items/ choices that can be presented at one time, the vocabulary that will be used, where the system will be used, and what system will fit best into the students daily activities. Some children start with very basic
communication board. On the simple communication boards there many only be a few symbols. For example a symbol/picture board may have 10 items on it and the child simply points to the picture or symbol of the item they would like. (Dell, Newton and Petroff,2012)
Characteristics of a Low Tech System
Pictures/symbols printed on the page
Pictures are moveable or can be exchanged
Inexpensive
Types of Low Tech AAC
Communication Boards
Emotion Boards
Sentence Strip Boards
Picture Boards
Picture exchange
Choice Boards
communication board. On the simple communication boards there many only be a few symbols. For example a symbol/picture board may have 10 items on it and the child simply points to the picture or symbol of the item they would like. (Dell, Newton and Petroff,2012)
Characteristics of a Low Tech System
Pictures/symbols printed on the page
Pictures are moveable or can be exchanged
Inexpensive
Types of Low Tech AAC
Communication Boards
Emotion Boards
Sentence Strip Boards
Picture Boards
Picture exchange
Choice Boards
High Tech
Most high tech AAC systems offer unlimited vocabulary, high quality computer generated voice, strategies for increasing speed of communication, and wireless internet. High tech devices are usually expensive and fragile, so the team should consider this when they are deigning the AAC system for the student. (Dell, Newton and Petroff,2012)
Types of High AAC Systems
IPad with communication applications:
Proloquo2Go
DynaVox V
ECO-14
Mini Mo
Vantage
Types of High AAC Systems
IPad with communication applications:
Proloquo2Go
DynaVox V
ECO-14
Mini Mo
Vantage
Helpful Sources and Links
Dell,A.,Newton,D., and Petroff, J. (2012). Assitive Technologies in the Classroom: Enhansing the School Experience of Students With Disabilities. (2nd Ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Print.
http://www.setbc.org/Download/LearningCentre/Communication/AAC_Low-Tech_Toolkit_Resources.pdf
http://www.assistivetechnologycenter.org/tlc/ach/augcomhigh.php
https://www.ssbbartgroup.com/blog/2012/04/08/low-tech-versus-high-tech-augmentative-communication/
http://www.asha.org/NJC/faqs-aac-basics.htm
http://kernatcenter.org/storage/Talk%20to%20Me.pdf
http://www.pecsusa.com/