Augmentative CommunicationAugmentative Communication

Evaluations Simplified:Evaluations Simplified:

Tools and ResourcesTools and Resources

Debby McBride, MS, CCCDebby McBride, MS, CCC--SLPSLP

Elizabeth (Libby) S. Rush, MA, CCCElizabeth (Libby) S. Rush, MA, CCC--SLP, CPMSLP, CPM

Overview of the processOverview of the process

�� Do the assessment Do the assessment –– determine user’s skillsdetermine user’s skills

�� Summarize assessmentSummarize assessment

�� Research devices (optional)Research devices (optional)

�� Trial devices (as appropriate)Trial devices (as appropriate)

�� Consider other factors / needs Consider other factors / needs

(Environmental /clinical considerations, (Environmental /clinical considerations,

etc.)etc.)

�� Final recommendations / reportFinal recommendations / report

�� Funding paperwork as requiredFunding paperwork as required dd

““Assistants” to help youAssistants” to help you

�� Add to what you haveAdd to what you have

�� Low tech toolsLow tech tools

�� Light tech tools with some simple voice outputLight tech tools with some simple voice output

�� High tech tools to emulate communication devicesHigh tech tools to emulate communication devices

dd

What you can get What you can get -- -- --

�� List of toolkit items List of toolkit items –– on CDon CD

�� Examples of templates used to gather, record Examples of templates used to gather, record findings, write reports, etcfindings, write reports, etc

�� List of additional resourcesList of additional resources

�� ManufacturersManufacturers

�� AAC devices / toolsAAC devices / tools

�� Website resourcesWebsite resources

�� www.aacTechConnect.comwww.aacTechConnect.com

symbolssymbols

ObjectsObjects

PhotosPhotos

COPPS COPPS

PicturesPictures

Overlays Overlays

Visual scenesVisual scenes

OrthographicsOrthographics

�� Display boardsDisplay boards

�� Dry erase boardDry erase board

�� Velcro Paper Velcro Paper

�� Magnetic Paper and PagesMagnetic Paper and Pages

Display BoardsDisplay Boards

Dry Erase BoardDry Erase Board

Specialty ResourcesSpecialty Resources

�� Velcro PaperVelcro Paper

�� Magnetic Printer SheetsMagnetic Printer Sheets

�� Magnetic SymbolsMagnetic Symbols

Toddler Vocabulary Arranged Toddler Vocabulary Arranged

by Frequencyby Frequency

� These twenty-six core words

comprise 96.3% of the total

words used by toddlers.

� Attempting to assess

potential use of AAC with these

words is difficult due to

difficulty portraying in graphic

form

20 Fundamental Words for Assessment20 Fundamental Words for AssessmentEmerging Vocabulary or Vocabulary for Emerging Vocabulary or Vocabulary for ADL’sADL’s

�� EatEat

�� DrinkDrink

�� BathroomBathroom

�� MusicMusic

�� DogDog

�� Ball (play)Ball (play)

�� Read (book)Read (book)

�� PlaydoughPlaydough

�� BubblesBubbles

�� JewelryJewelry

�� MoneyMoney

�� HelpHelp

�� All doneAll done

�� WantWant

�� MineMine

�� MoreMore

�� StopStop

�� GoGo

�� WorkWork

�� Television (watch)Television (watch)

Symbol Sizes for KitSymbol Sizes for Kit

PHOTOSPHOTOS SYMBOLSSYMBOLS

¾” X ¾’ ¾” X ¾’ ½” X ½”½” X ½”

1’ X 1”1’ X 1” 1” X 1”1” X 1”

2” x 2”2” x 2” 2” x 2”2” x 2”

3” x 3”3” x 3” 3” x 3”3” x 3”

4” x 6”4” x 6” 4” X 6”4” X 6”

81/2” x 11”81/2” x 11”

Symbol UsageSymbol Usage

COPPSCOPPSCOPPS

ObjectObject--COPPSCOPPS--PhotoPhoto

Symbol UsageSymbol Usage

Realistic

Pictures

Line

Drawings

Symbol UsageSymbol Usage

Scenes

TOOLKIT TOOLKIT –– LiteLite TechTech

�� Battery adaptorBattery adaptor

�� Array of SwitchesArray of Switches

�� Switch InterfaceSwitch Interface

�� Switch Mounting systemSwitch Mounting system

�� Switch activated devices (toy or fan or Switch activated devices (toy or fan or

vibrating Pillow) . . . . .vibrating Pillow) . . . . .

Switch Activated DevicesSwitch Activated Devices

Battery AdapterBattery Adapter

Array of SwitchesArray of Switches

Switch Mounting SystemSwitch Mounting System

Simple voice outputSimple voice output

�� Single message communicatorsSingle message communicators

(Sequencers)(Sequencers)

�� Multiple message communicators Multiple message communicators

(various message key setups)(various message key setups)

�� Auditory sequencersAuditory sequencers

SequencerSequencer

Static Display Static Display

Progressive CommunicatorProgressive Communicator

Auditory Choice Making CommunicatorAuditory Choice Making Communicator

Auditory Scanning DevicesAuditory Scanning Devices

““Higher Tech”Higher Tech”

�� Laptop computer or tablet Laptop computer or tablet

computercomputer

�� AccessoriesAccessories

��Touch ScreenTouch Screen

�� Switch interfaceSwitch interface

Laptop Computer, Touch Laptop Computer, Touch

Screen and AAC SoftwareScreen and AAC Software

Switch InterfaceSwitch Interface

SoftwareSoftware

�� Emulate the devicesEmulate the devices

�� 33rdrd party software which does the following:party software which does the following:

�� Make various configuration of overlaysMake various configuration of overlays

�� Able to link them together to evaluate navigationAble to link them together to evaluate navigation

�� Can do scanningCan do scanning

ComboCombo

�� SoftwareSoftware

�� Digitized deviceDigitized device

�� BoardmakerBoardmaker PlusPlus

Free softwareFree software

�� Manufacturers (incomplete list)Manufacturers (incomplete list)

�� PRC PRC

�� Series 5Series 5

�� SayItSamSayItSam (Words +)(Words +)

�� EZ keys (words +)EZ keys (words +)

�� Power Point (on website resource list)Power Point (on website resource list)

�� On lineOn line

LowLow--tech physical access tech physical access

componentscomponents

�� KeyguardKeyguard

�� Pointing lightPointing light

�� Partner Assisted ScanningPartner Assisted Scanning

�� Eye gazeEye gaze

�� Positioning (motor Positioning (motor –– visual)visual)

�� Navigation Navigation

PrePre--Assessment PreparationAssessment Preparation

�� Questions at Initial ContactQuestions at Initial Contact

�� PreservicePreservice QuestionnaireQuestionnaire

�� Information that can be obtained prior Information that can be obtained prior to assessment sessionto assessment session

�� Pre Evaluation QuestionnairesPre Evaluation Questionnaires

�� Obtaining previous reports, evaluations Obtaining previous reports, evaluations and supplemental informationand supplemental information

�� Communication QuestionnaireCommunication Questionnaire

�� Case HistoryCase History

Symbol UsageSymbol Usage

�� Single meaning picturesSingle meaning pictures

�� Alphabet/SpellingAlphabet/Spelling

�� Semantic Compaction (Unity)Semantic Compaction (Unity)

�� First Phrase (Tango)First Phrase (Tango)

�� Visual ScenesVisual Scenes

Grammatical BoardsGrammatical Boards

�� WordPowerWordPower

�� Picture Word PowerPicture Word Power

�� (Most manufacturers)(Most manufacturers)

�� WordcoreWordcore (PRC)(PRC)

Symbol organizationSymbol organization

Cognitive & sensoryCognitive & sensory--perceptual considerationsperceptual considerations

TASP TASP –– Mayer Johnson & Mayer Johnson &

Example from ACEExample from ACE--A bookA book

�� SizeSize

�� No. per pageNo. per page

�� Single overlaySingle overlay

�� Navigation abilitiesNavigation abilities

Evaluation NotesEvaluation Notes

�� Form to provide consistent means of Form to provide consistent means of recording information during the recording information during the evaluation sessionevaluation session

�� Mechanism to measure progressMechanism to measure progress

�� Summary of ObservationsSummary of Observations

�� Evaluation Notes FormEvaluation Notes Form

�� Use of form helps to promote an organized Use of form helps to promote an organized method for keeping work recordsmethod for keeping work records

�� AAC Consult SummaryAAC Consult Summary

Knowledge about device/systemsKnowledge about device/systems

�� Type of device (digitized, dynamic display, Type of device (digitized, dynamic display, texttext--toto--speech/keyboard, integrated)speech/keyboard, integrated)

�� Access methodAccess method

�� Symbols usedSymbols used

�� Rate enhancersRate enhancers

�� Accessories requiredAccessories required

�� Medicare version requiredMedicare version required

�� CostCost

�� Size / weightSize / weight

�� Etc.Etc.

DecisionDecision--Making & Making &

Supporting DocumentationSupporting Documentation

Device ReviewDevice Review

Comparison ChartComparison Chart

www.aacTechConnect.comwww.aacTechConnect.com

Dynamic DisplayDynamic Display

Device AssistantDevice Assistant

�� FREE Trial PeriodFREE Trial Period

�� Research most AAC devices in one siteResearch most AAC devices in one site

�� Save time Save time

�� Improve results Improve results

Device Feature MatchDevice Feature Match

Trialing equipmentTrialing equipment

�� Vendors Vendors –– local resourceslocal resources

�� ManufacturersManufacturers

�� Loan equipmentLoan equipment

�� Rental optionsRental options

�� ASHA ASHA –– list of questions to ask list of questions to ask

manufacturers manufacturers

Knowledge about best practicesKnowledge about best practices

�� EvidenceEvidence--based practicebased practice refers to an approach in refers to an approach in which current, highwhich current, high--quality research evidence is quality research evidence is integrated with practitioner expertise and client integrated with practitioner expertise and client preferences and values into the process of making preferences and values into the process of making clinical decisions.clinical decisions.

�� Web listWeb list

�� To download handouts, go toTo download handouts, go to

www.aacTechConnect.comwww.aacTechConnect.com

go to EVENTS go to EVENTS -- see materials listed theresee materials listed there

Up coming workshops in your areaUp coming workshops in your area

�� AAC Evaluation Workshop AAC Evaluation Workshop -- little or no cost little or no cost

to your organizationto your organization

�� For information on “hosting” this event, For information on “hosting” this event,

contact contact debby@aacTechConnect.comdebby@aacTechConnect.com or or

1.866.4U.AAC.RX1.866.4U.AAC.RX

�� Come to booth #1022 for more informationCome to booth #1022 for more information

Elizabeth (Libby) Rush, MA, CCCElizabeth (Libby) Rush, MA, CCC--SLPSLP

Independent AAC/AT ConsultantIndependent AAC/AT Consultant

424 Bywood Drive424 Bywood Drive

Durham, NC 27712Durham, NC 27712

libbyrush@aol.comlibbyrush@aol.com

919919--471471--28192819