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Aac-Augmentative and Alternative Communication

AAC refers to augmentative and alternative communication methods that supplement or replace speech and writing for individuals with impairments in oral communication. It includes any method of communication that supplements or replaces speech including gestures, sign language, picture symbols, communication boards or electronic devices. AAC is used by individuals with conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, aphasia or traumatic brain injury. Users are assessed to determine the most appropriate AAC method based on their abilities which may include unaided methods like gestures or aided methods using devices.

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102 views35 pages

Aac-Augmentative and Alternative Communication

AAC refers to augmentative and alternative communication methods that supplement or replace speech and writing for individuals with impairments in oral communication. It includes any method of communication that supplements or replaces speech including gestures, sign language, picture symbols, communication boards or electronic devices. AAC is used by individuals with conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, aphasia or traumatic brain injury. Users are assessed to determine the most appropriate AAC method based on their abilities which may include unaided methods like gestures or aided methods using devices.

Uploaded by

renuka aurangabadker
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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AAC- AUGMENTATIVE

AND ALTERNATIVE
COMMUNICATION
DEFINITION:
 AAC is an integrated group of components including
symbols , aids, strategies and techniques used by
individuals to supplement any gestural, spoken and/or
written communication abilities” [ASHA, 1991]

 Methods of communication that supplement oral means


of communication or provide alternative means of
communication for individuals with extremely limited
oral means of communication skills.
BASIC TERMS OF AAC
 AAC system: A group of components, symbols, aids and
strategies all integrated into a functional unit.

 AAC user: The individual who has limited oral


communication skills and thus needs to use a form of
AAC.

 ACCESS: Means by which a communicator composes a


message and manipulates the device
 AID or DEVICE: Physical objects or instruments that
transmit or receive messages include a notepad, a
message book, message board, charts, mechanical
equipments or such electronic equipment as a micro
computer.

 AIDED & UNAIDED: AAC strategies that either use


some external device or equipment (AIDED e.g. use of a
communication board, symbol system) or those that do
not use such devices or equipments (UNAIDED e.g.
gestures, sign languages)

 ALTERNATIVE: A method of communication that


replaces the typical oral communication.
 AUGMENTATIVE: methods or devices that enhance or supplement the
available means of typical communication. For example we can augment
speech by using gestures, eye pointing, and body language.

 COMMUNICATION PARTNER: Person or persons who interact with AAC


user.

 DIRECT SELECTION: Selecting a message by pointing, depressing an


electronic key, touching a keypad, touching an item or object.

 SCANNING: Sequential offering of available messages by the


communication partner or a mechanical device untill the AAC user indicates
the right message he or she wishes to convey.
 DISPLAY: the means by which a communicator, after having
gained access to a system or device, shows the messages to his
or her communication partner, includes such low technology
devices as a communication board or such high technology
devices as a computer monitor

 HIGH TECHNOLOGY DEVICE: An AAC method that uses


electronic instruments including computers

 LOW TECHNOLOGY DEVICE: An AAC method that


doesn’t use electronic instruments, such means as a message
board or a notepad.
SYMBOLS : Means of representation includes drawings,
photographs, objects, all kinds of gestures, signs, printed words,
geometric shapes and spoken words.

ICONIC & NON-ICONIC SYMBOL: A picture or a symbol


that looks like the object it represents (ICONIC), A picture or a
symbol that doesn’t look like the object it represents (NON
ICONIC).
WHO USES AAC

 Young child to the older adult affected by congenital disorder such


as– (autism, cerebral palsy, dual sensory impairments, genetic
syndromes, mental retardation, multiple disabilities, hearing
impairment).

 Acquired communication disorders such as stroke that results in


aphasia, cancer that affects the vocal mechanism, traumatic brain
injury, or a progressive neurological disease (e.g., Parkinsonism,
Multiple Sclerosis, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)).
WHO? Aphasia
Progressive
neurological
disease

Cerebral
palsy

autism

Mental
retardation
dementia
THE TEAM!
THE DECISION!
AAC STRATEGIES…..
UNAIDED COMMUNICATION METHODS:
Gestures Facial expressions
SIGN LANGUAGE
 American sign language (ASL or AMESLAN): Consists of
manual signs for the 26 letters of the alphabet can sign words
or phrases; recognised as a language by itself; often used
with oral speech.

 American Indian hand talk (AMER-IND): a sign language


system developed by North American Indians; includes
gestures and movement to suggest ideas and concept; not
phonetic; complex ideas are expressed by a series of gestures.

 Left hand manual alphabet: similar to American manual


alphabet, but more suitable for persons with right-sided
paralysis; consist of concrete gestures that approximate
printed letters of the alphabet.
 Limited manual sign systems: several systems with
limited number of signs and gestures; useful for patients
in medical setting; used to communicates basic needs,
self care needs and to simply say yes or no; a variety of
systems available.

 Pantomime: mostly the use of gestures and dynamic


movements often involving the entire body; consists of
facial expressions, transparent message, dramatizations
of meaning expressed.

 EyeBlinks Encoding: Learning to transmit basic


message by specific number of blinks (e.g., one blinks
means yes, two blinks means no)
AIDED COMMUNICATION METHODS:

 Picture symbol systems: Blissymbols, Picsym


 Neuro-assisted (Aided): form of AAC in which bio-
electrical signals (e.g., muscle action potentials) help
generate messages display device; aided because of the
use of instrumentations; useful for severely impaired
AAC user whose hand mobility is extremely limited and
thus cannot operate a switching mechanism; bioelectrical
potentials activate switches and thus the messages;
electrodes attached to the user and connected to the
instrument help activate switching mechanisms;
equipment is more expensive and sophisticated; less
developed than the other systems.
AIDED COMMUNICATION METHODS:

 Orthographic symbol systems : Morse code, Braille


 Gestural Assisted (Aided): Form of AAC in which
gesture or movements are combined with a message
display device or instrument ;gestures may directly point
to or select a message displayed or indirectly generate
messages by providing input to an electronic unit
resulting in a message display; display include a board, a
screen, or a computer monitor; aided because of the use
of a display instrument.
AIDED COMMUNICATION METHODS:

 Eye gaze : E-Tran


AIDED COMMUNICATION METHODS:

 PC based systems: Laptop/ desktop with voice output or


word prediction software etc.
ACCESS METHODS: DIRECT
SELECTION
ACCESS METHODS: INDIRECT SELECTION
AAC ASSESSMENT…
AAC ASSESSMENT…
WHAT TO LOOK FOR….
WHAT TO LOOK FOR….
ANALYSIS OF RESULT AND
PRELIMINARY SELECTION OF AAC
 Integrate information obtained from different source
with your data on assessment of the clients AAC
potential
 Select a form of AAC that best suits the client

 Finalize the selection only through a period of


intervention; note that the initial selection may not work
for the client; initial intervention may suggest
modification in the selected strategy or a different
strategy
 Get the client, the family, teachers, supervisors and other
relevant persons involved in making modifications or in
selecting a new device
PROGNOSIS

 Highly variable as the population for which AAC is


appropriate is extremely heterogeneous

 Clients benefit from a method for which they are good


candidates
RECOMMENDATIONS
 A form of AAC for which the client is a good candidate

 Training the client and the family members in making


good use of the selected method and in maintaining the
instrument selected

 Periodic assessment to ensure continued success or to


suggest a different form of AAC
INCORPORATE MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES…
AAC: PROBLEMS!
THANK YOU…

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