Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC)

Importance of Communication:

Communication is needed for learning, social development, employment, expressing needs and wants and engaging in meaningful activities along with many other life skills (Beukelman, Mirenda, & Ball, 2013). Communication is also necessary to provide positive care outcomes for clients whilst promoting client safety (Beukelman et al., 2013).

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What is AAC?

A system of communication that aims to compensate for short or long term impairments with communication impacting on participation in activities and quality of life (Beukelman et al., 2013). Impairments can range from difficulties with speech output to understanding speech or written types of communication, AAC can be used for rehabilitation or habilitation purposes (Beukelman et al., 2013).

Who uses AAC:

Can be anyone from all walks of life. One example is people experiencing severe communication difficulties or only having the ability to produce only a small amount of speech (Beukelman et al., 2013).

Common congenital or acquired conditions potentially requiring AAC include cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, autism, apraxia of speech, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Motor Neuron Disease), multiple sclerosis, stroke and traumatic brain injury.

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What does AAC enable?

- Allows one to develop their social networks both virtually (internet) and face to face.

- Communicating within a workplace environment e.g. in meetings, over the phone, typing out notes.

- Participating in recreation and leisure activities.

- Expression of feelings and emotions.

- Emailing and calling friends and family.

- Participating in school activities e.g. reading e-books.

(Beukelman et al., 2013).

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Types of AAC:

Unaided AAC

- "Key Word Signing": Using hand gestures for individuals who can hear but are not able to talk, have trouble understanding other people or are difficult to understand.

- "Body Sign": Signs performed e.g. by ones hands in a way that is understood for individuals who are both hearing and sight impaired.

- "Touch Cues": Touching ones body in specific areas e.g. on the shoulder to help one understand future actions or anticipate future events.

(Government of South Australia, 2013)

Electronic

- "Voice Amplifiers": Using a microphone to amplify someones voice.

- "Speech Generating Devices": Devices that create messages or sentences which can be read out loud. Read out loud by a synthesised voice with a combination of pictures, symbols, signs or words, Can be used to communicate short and long sentences.

- "Communication Software": AAC software used by tablets, laptops, computers.

- "Communication Apps": Apps can be used on iOS or Android devices.

(Government of South Australia, 2013)

Non electronic

- Drawing images or writing words on a piece of paper.

- One page communication boards using symbols, signs, photos, letters. These boards can be used for sentence implementation or to communicate simple needs.

- Use of "Community Access Cards" that describe a persons difficulty with speech and why one needs to use AAC.

- "Personal Signing and Communication Dictionaries": Consist of compiled pictures, words, signs, symbols, gestures to be used when communicating.

(Government of South Australia, 2013)

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Electronic AAC devices:

- IntelliGaze: Communication Edition

- Grid Pad EYE 11

- Smart 3

(Zyteq, 2018)

iOS Apps:

- Proloquo2Go

- icommunicate

- iComm

- Look2Learn

- Voice4U

- iconverse

- My Talk Tools Mobile

(Schectman, 2011)

Resources:

Check out this video for more information on electronic AAC:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3m8_YmTDDM

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References:

1. Beukelman, D. R., Mirenda, P., & Ball, L. J. (2013). Augmentative & alternative communication: Supporting children and adults with complex communication needs (4th ed.). Baltimore, Maryland: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

2. Government of South Australia. (2013). Disability information. Retrieved July 11, 2018, from https://www.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/17122/augmentative-alternative-communication.pdf

3. Schectman, T. (2011). 7 assistive communication apps in the ipad app store. Retrieved July 11, 2018, from https://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2011/02/07/7-assistive-communication-apps-in-the-ipad-app-store/

4. Zyteq. (2018). Intelligaze: Communication edition. Retrieved July 11, 2018, from http://www.zyteq.com.au/products/eye_gaze/intelligaze-communication-edition