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Is Your Child Strugglingwith Communication? Discussing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) 1. What is AAC?
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. We all use AAC when we make facial expressions or gestures, use symbols or pictures, or write. People with severe speech or language problems rely on AAC to supplement existing speech or replacespeech that is not functional. Special augmentativeaids, such as picture and symbol communication boards and electronic devices, are available to help people express themselves. This may increase social interaction, school performance, and feelings of self-worth. AAC users should not stop using speech if they are able to do so. The AAC aids and devices are used to enhance their communication. The symbols used in AAC include gestures, photographs, pictures, line drawings, letters and words, which can be used alone or in combination. Body parts, pointers, and adapted mice, or eye tracking can be used to select target symbols directly, and switch access scanning is often used for indirect selection. 2. What is SGD? Speech-generating devices (SGDs), also known as voice output communication aids, are electronic augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems used to supplement or replace speech or writing for individuals with severe speech impairments, enabling them to verbally communicate. 3. Are there different types of AAC? Whenchildrenoradultscannotusespeech tocommunicateeffectively inallsituations, thereareoptions.Unaidedcommunicationsystems relyon theuser’sbody toconvey messages. Examples include gestures, body language, and/or sign language. Aided communication systems require the use of tools or equipment in addition to the user’s body. Aided communication methods can range from paper and pencil to communication books or boards to devices that produce voice output (speech generatingdevicesorSGD’s)orwrittenoutput.Electroniccommunicationaidsallow the user to use picture symbols, letters, or words and phrases to create messages. Some devices can be programmed to produce different spoken languages. Low-tech communication aids are defined as those that do not need batteries, electricity or electronics. These are often very simple communication boards or books, from which the user selects letters, words, phrases, pictures, or symbols to communicate a message. High-tech AAC aids permit the storage and retrieval of electronic messages, with mostallowing theuser tocommunicateusingspeechoutput.Suchdevicesareknown as speech generating devices (SGD) or voice output communication aids (VOCA). Devices with voice output offer the user the advantage of more communicative power, including the ability to initiate conversation with communication partners whoareatadistance. Inallcasesofuse, low techsystemsareoften recommended as a backup in case of device failure.
4. Symbols Symbolsarevisualsused to representobjects,actions,andconcepts through theuse of items such as the physical object itself, colored or black and white photographs, linedrawings,andwrittenwords.Foruserswith literacyskills,alphabet-basedsymbols including individual letters,wholewords,orparts thereofmaybeused incombination with the other types of symbols. Tactile symbols, which are textured objects, real objects, or parts of real objects, are used as a communication symbols particularly for individuals with visual impairments and/or significant intellectual impairments. 5. Who can have an SGD? Patients with ALS, tracheotomy surgery, apraxia, cerebral palsy, stroke, aphasia etc. In the past 20 or so years SGD have gained popularity amongst young children with speech deficiencies, such as autism, Down syndrome, and predicted brain Medicaid and Medicare can help cover the cost. Depending on insurance carrier’s and medical necessity, they can help cover costs.There are private groups that will help with funding. You can also private pay. 7. Can I use iPads for AAC? Yes. It is justnotas functional forpeoplewhoneedadevice that isnotvery “touchy.” The 10-inch capacitated screen (or almost 8-inch screen on the mini) is larger than most traditional device screens for ambulatory students. Many of them have experience with iPhones and iPods, so we don’t have to explain that they have to hit the home button to exit the app, how to turn it on and off, or how to charge it. Since the technology is accessible to the general public, students are not without their voices for long if something goes wrong with their iPad. When the iAdapter was released, it provided amplification, and while the iPad was not intended to be a communication device, all of our hardware objections were resolved. There was even a cover to discourage access to the home button and prevent students from exiting the communication app. (Since then, Guided Access has been added to the iPad settings, which provides a software solution to exiting the communication app). There are over 300 AAC apps on the market. If you have a child who is successfully using a device, all of the major device companies have apps. If you have children using mid tech plastic devices, there are apps from those companies. damage due to surgery. 6. Who pays for an SGD?
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