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 [email protected]@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
[email protected]@aol.com
919919--471471--28192819