What Does a Supplier Need to Know About AAC?

Transcription

1 Learning Objectives What Does a Supplier Need to Know About AAC? Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS 1. The participant will be able to define Augmentative and Alternative Communication. 2. The participant will be able to list 3 categories of AAC. 3. The participant will be able to define the input device, selection set, and selection method. What We Will be Covering: What is AAC? Who can benefit from AAC? Team players and scope of service AAC Terminology Mounting Interfacing Why Do I Need to Know This? Many RTSs ask why they need to know AAC info to pass the ATP certification exam Why Do I Need to Know This? Assistive Technology is very interdependent Appropriate seating optimizes access The communication device may need to be mounted to the wheelchair The communication device may need to be interfaced with the power wheelchair to allow access through the driving method You may be the only person who notes the need for AAC and makes a referral Poll Time! Are you working with client who use AAC? Yes No Not now, but I know I may in the future! 1

2 What is AAC? Augmentative and Alternative Communication Augmentative: augments a person s communication i.e. someone who is difficult to understand Alternative: replaces verbal communication i.e. someone who is non-verbal What is Communication? We communicate in many ways Verbal Non-verbal Written AAC Functions Conversation Choices, initiate conversation, greetings, requests, information exchange, comments, conversational repair Written communication Who can benefit from AAC? Clients who are difficult to understand Clients who are non-verbal Team Players and Scope of Service Speech Language Pathologists Language Occupational Therapists or Other AT Specialist Access, vision, other functions Supplier Sometimes funding, mounting, interfacing Scope of service AAC Terminology This is where the terminology gets a bit hairy, but relax, try and understand what each term means and remember 2

3 AAC Terminology Categories of AAC Low Tech Non-electronic High Tech AAC devices Speech generating devices Also called: Communication Devices Augmentative Communication Devices Alternative Communication Devices Talkers May be computer or tablet based AAC Terminology HAAT Model (Cook and Hussey) Human/Technology Interface Input device or control interface Selection (or symbol set) Display layout/arrangement Selection method Input Device Input Device or Control Interface = Access Method Direct Finger to display Pointer Eye Gaze Switch Single or dual switch Joystick Not available on many AAC devices anymore Mouse Selection Set Selection Set or Symbol Set Everything a person wants to say must be represented on the display Letters, other individual characters (like a computer keyboard) Words, sentences and paragraphs Symbols that represent vocabulary choices Objects Pictures Other symbol sets Selection Set Here are some examples: This selection set uses individual characters and entire words Selection Set This selection set uses symbols 3

4 Display Layout/Arrangement The Selection Set can be arranged specifically to meet the client s needs For example, more frequently used vocabulary may be placed in the upper left corner for switch users, as this is where the scan begins Another example, vocabulary is often sorted by category. The main page may include choices such as Food, People, Greetings and each of those choices would then open another page of vocabulary under that category Selection Method This refers to specific strategies used for a specific access method Direct Programming is available to change features such as acceptance rate, activate on touch, or activate on release Selection Method Scanning This refers to specific strategies used for a specific access method Switch Programming is available to change features such as the type of scan, speed of scan, scanning pattern Types of scan include automatic (most common), step (used with 2 switch access) and inverse Quadrant and row column scanning row quadrant column Let s review Back to the HAAT Model Feeling confused? No worries Input Device/control interface = access method i.e. switch Selection Set The symbols used to represent vocabulary choices Display Layout How the symbols are arranged to maximize efficiency Selection Method Strategies used for individual access methods to maximize efficiency Ok, we covered the Human Technology Interface as it pertains to AAC Next is the 4

5 The in the context of AAC refers to additional strategies to improve efficiency Encoding Techniques Rate Enhancement Vocabulary Expansion Levels Encoding Techniques We already discussed the Selection or Symbol Set Some of these Selection Sets use encoding techniques to provide access to a large amount of vocabulary from one primary set of symbols (semantic encoding) Symbols are combined to form different words i.e. Selecting the Apple and then the Sun to choose Breakfast i.e. Selecting the Apple and then the Rainbow to choose Red Rate Enhancement Strategies to increase speed and efficiency in communication Word prediction Word completion Abbreviation Expansion Word Prediction Word prediction guesses the next word you want to type or say 5

6 Word Completion Word Completion guesses what you are currently typing In this case, the user can choose the number of the selection they want, saving extra keystrokes, switch activations, etc. Abbreviation Expansion Abbreviation Expansion automatically expands programmed abbreviations ASAP = As soon as possible Important to use abbreviations that don t begin common words Levels Some older AAC devices used static levels, meaning that the client was limited to what was on the display or someone else had to physically change the display Levels Most systems use a dynamic display that automatically changes what is displayed based on the last selection Output Visual Often a message bar for the listener or communication partner to read if the message was not heard or heard in full Output Auditory The client can choose to speak the message only after it is complete, rather than as composed 6

7 Output Coded This refers to when a message from the AAC device is sent to another device, such as a computer This is usually wireless Many AAC devices are computer based and so do not need to send a signal to a separate computer Packaging Dedicated Computer based Tablet based Interfacing Dedicated Dedicated devices are specifically for communication More battery life Often more durable Computer Based Computer based devices may look like a dedicated device, but allow the client to access computer features, as well Some funding sources require these functions to be locked out Tablet Based Either an App on a standard tablet or a specialized tablet Specialized tablets often offer more access options, better communication packages and boost auditory output Can get funding approval for the second type Back to the HAAT Model Human/Technology Interface Input Device (i.e. switch) Selection Set (i.e. letters) Display Layout (i.e. QWERTY) Selection Method (scanning) Strategies to improve efficiency (i.e. word prediction) Output Visual, auditory or coded Physical Construction Packaging (i.e. dedicated) Mountability 7

8 Interfacing For some power wheelchair users, interfacing an AAC device allows a strong access method to be shared An interfacing component and interfacing cable are required The client must change the mode of operation of the power wheelchair from driving to auxiliary, typically with a reset switch 1 to 2 switch signals can be sent for single or dual switch scanning access to the AAC device Interfacing Many AAC devices can be accessed by mouse, which is usually more efficient than switch access Interface external mouse emulator or Use power wheelchair standard or optional mouse emulation to access the AAC device AAC Mounting AAC Mounting Mounting an AAC device has the following goals: Optimal position for access Specifically direct access Optimal position for visual regard Safety from falling Security from theft Tubing and joints Mounting plate General guidelines Avoid mounting to moveable components Mount above the tilt, if present Consider a locking frame clamp if used on a tilt chair Mount so that the client can see the device, but also their environment For driving a power wheelchair For seeing communication partners Frame clamp Take home message: Questions? As an RTS, you are not expected to perform AAC evaluations and this is beyond your scope of service You are required, as an ATP, to be familiar with the information in this webinar You are a valuable part of the team. You may be expected to: Ensure optimal positioning of the client for function Mount the AAC device to the wheelchair Mount the access method (i.e. switch) Interface the AAC device to a power wheelchair to share the driving method 8

9 Thanks! Contact Information: Michelle Lange 9