Presents Module & Toolkits Aug Comm Evals Simplified

Presents

Module & Toolkits

Aug Comm Evals Simplified

Providing ACES Evaluation Toolkits

Low-to-Lite Tech Evaluation Toolkit

High-tech Evaluation Toolkit Evaluation Toolkit Starter Kit

Notebook Accompanying CD

Agenda – Talk about process; matching person to the

communication tool / device Review ACES Module Forms/templates provided

Review ACES Low-to-Lite Tech Toolkit contents Review notebook: materials and resources to

use Consider features for choosing low-to-lite tech

communication tools and devices AAC Device decision-making resources What else?

ACES Module examples – download at www.aacTechConnect.com

Materials & Resources

www.aacTechConnect.com

Events -

Evaluation

What are the communicator’s skills?

What can they do (based on case history

and evaluation)?

Feature Matching – What features do they need? What technology can bridge the gap?

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Process – Beginning to endItems in red available online

Person Gathering information - Case history & Eval

Summary Deciding on skills to assess-

The Person’s Skills Choosing the “toolkit items” used

ACES Toolkit w. descriptions Evaluating the individual's skills –

Case history & Eval Summary

Communication tools/devices

Matching skills to communication tools The AAC Device Features Case History Summary & Evaluation

Researching optionsAAC TechConnect website

Free resourcesLite Tech Low Cost Resource ChartDevice Assistant

Decision-making

Trialing communication tools / voice output devices

AAC Device Decision-Making

Making recommendations / writing appropriate documentationReport template

Goals worksheet

The Person’s Skills

Types of Communicators

Toolkit List

What is low – to – lite tech?

LOW – Tech Non-voice communication tools and

techniques Use of objects for communication symbols Use of pictures - individual presentation,

books, and boards Access tools - Access accessories (switches,

mounts, and low cost evaluation tools etc.) Inexpensive

Lite Tech

Includes battery operated objects

Cause- effect Software – (cause-effect)

Single message communicators (Step-by-Step from AbleNet)

Simpler digitized devices (Go Talks)

Access

Low Tech Items

Cause-effect items

Switches & accessories

Variety of switches

Switch interface

Switch mount

Simple voice output

Single message communicators(Sequencers, Step-by-step, etc.)

Simpler voice output devices+ overlay software + Symbol Stix

High Tech Evaluation Toolkit

Emulate a variety of devices Large Medium Small

Get information about their use of language (i.e. symbols, forms used, representation, etc.)

What is the ACES High Tech Evaluation Toolkit ?

Tobii

Communicator

AAC TechConnect:ACES High-Tech Training

Wednesday, Oct. 13th 12:00 – 2:00; MDT Will be archived by November

NOTEBOOK:Tools & Resources

Use sample communication tools with progressing levels of complexity to determine:

Types of communication symbols required Use of concrete vs. abstract pictures Ability to navigate between pages Use of pictures, words, combination of

both Ability to formulate phrases / sentences Using variety of nouns, verbs, descriptive

words Making comments Relating events Social communication and conversation

Symbol types

Objects Photographs

Pictures Alphabet

/spelling

EmergingNo RELIABLE means of EXPRESSIVE

communication through SYMBOLIC language

Have some functional non-verbal communication (gestures, vocalizations, other nonsymbolic communication)

Able to attend, even briefly, to individuals, conversations, pictures, or symbols

Yes/no (acceptance/rejection) depicted with body language; i.e. no reliable yes/no for more complex communication

Emerging Communicators Start with objects to request highly motivating

activities: Use GLASS for drink requests Use BALL for playing with the ball requests Use a CD for music requests Add your own

Use various access methods (eye gaze, reaching, pointing, partner assisted scanning, etc.) Communication functions could include: Request “more” / continue activity “All done” / stop activity Making choices  

Emerging Communicators

Incorporate the use of a one button speech device, the Step by Step into the activities.

Use COPPS to indicate the activity on the device.

Assess impact of a “voice”.

Emerging Communicators Add some individually cut out Symbol

Stix™ to add variety and assess understanding of line drawings vs. photo’s, and to use for PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System).

Context- or Partner-Dependent

Has SYMBOLIC communication that is RELIABLE but limited to particular CONTEXTS or PARTNERS

Rely on partners to provide limited response set

Need frequent instruction and cueing

Difficulty with initiation

May only be functional in particular settings

Wide range with regard to # of partners and # of settings

4 Button Grids Assess simple choice

making

Signal for more/all done

Sequence two symbols, i.e. “want” + object; “more” + object; “all done” + object

9 Button Grids:  Simple choice making

Signal “more,” “want,” “all done”

Combine “more, want, all done” with symbol – ex. “ball” “eat” “book”

20 Button Grids: Start with simple

requests/choice making with limited pictures

Target simple sentence construction

Target commenting, questioning, greetings, yes/no questions

Others . . .

ACES Dynamic Display Emulates a Dynamic Display which might be

used on an AAC Device

Use them to assess client’s ability to navigate and categorize.

Boards are designed primarily with an 8 button arrangement, Two pages (things & food) have a 16 button layout.

ACES Dynamic DisplayPeople Action

Needs Talk

ACES Dynamic DisplayThings Places

Food Activity

Independent (Generative)

Can communicate ANYTHING on ANY TOPIC to ANYONE in ANY CONTEXT

Locate, select, and convey messages on their own

Can interact with familiar / unfamiliar partners equally well

Can sequence symbols or letters to generate novel messages

Word & Alphabet Boards Word Boards might be used

by context-dependent, or independent communicators to supplement or replace speech.

We include ABC, QWERTY and “Frequency of Occurrence”

alphabet boards on toolkit CD

Word and Alphabet Boards

Word Boards are complex, and take some getting used to. When you present it to the client, model use of the board first. Show how the words are laid out and grouped together.

Give practice sentences to help them get used to the board and where to find things before asking them to generate anything on their own.

Word & Alphabet Boards You can use eye gaze, partner assisted scanning, head and/or laser pointers

Some people with very limited range of hand/arm movement may be able to point with a laser in their hand.

Roll rubber band over switch

You can do headpointing by taping a straw or laser light to a visor or baseball cap.

Laser Light

Laser light: Also use to train scanning skills — point to items with light, client indicates “yes” when reaching desired item

Device chart

Types of devices to consider

Single message communicators Digitized

Text – to – speech Dynamic display Integrated systems

Tobii Eval Pages

Tobii Eval Pages

Take a look in ACES Evaluation Toolkit High-tech Training . . .

AAC Device Decision-Making

Summarize Individuals Communication Skills and Needs

Case History and Evaluation Summary

Device Trials and Comparisons AAC Device Decision-Making

Doing the researchDoing the ResearchAAC TechConnect – Free resources AAC TechConnect – Device Assistant

Look at Individuals Communication Abilities & Needs

Case History & Evaluation Summary Communication functions they can do(determine highest level)

Look at communication situations & partners

Device – length of need; temporary vs. indefinite (up to 5 years)

Temporary solutions May be learning skills

Access Picture recognition Taking care of device Expanding communication partners & situations Teaching new communication functions

Cautions Don’t underestimate – guess high Don’t limit communication – add

partners/situations/functions Don’t let cost be determining factor Don’t let them get “bored” and increase abandonment

How do you research options?

Low – tech (non-voice communication tools)

Lite-tech (voice output) Single message communicators Digitized devices

Simpler More complex

Update free resource page

What’s new ? ? ?

Digitized Simpler communication needs Recorded voice Use of pictures Multi lingual

Most of them have: Paper overlays that are changed

(changed by facilitator or user) Also called “static display”

Device Assistant – AAC TechConnect online comparisons

The Resource for Lite Tech Low Cost AAC Chart Low-cost equipment (less than $1500 US) includes both

non-voice and voice output communication tools/devices.

It's comprehensive and easy to use.  There is information about 100 non-voice products and

250 voice  products on 67 downloadable pages. 

Cost only $14.95 –download from websiteor $19.95 with purchase order

Go to STORE at ww.aacTechConnect.com to purchase

The Resource for Lite Tech Low Cost AAC Chart

Online Clinical Tools

From

The ACES Device Assistant – project of AAC-RERC

Device Assistant – AAC TechConnect online comparisons

Digitized Simpler communication needs Recorded voice Use of pictures Multi lingual

Most of them have: Paper overlays that are changed Also called “static display” Couple have dynamic display

Device Assistant

30 day free trial using codeACES Toolkit Trial

30 days $14.95 1 – 2 users; $79 3 – 5 users; $149 6-10 users; $275 Contact us for more options

Trialing equipment Lite – tech

Simpler vs. more complex (more expensive) Organization resources Loan libraries Distributors (maybe) Manufacturers

Funding More complex devices – may be funded by

manufacturer for 3rd party payment Simpler devices – purchase

Manufacturers page

Decision-making

Trialing communication tools / voice output devices

AAC Device Decision-Making Making recommendations / writing

appropriate documentationReport templateGoals

Report template

Follows “medical model” which addresses functional communication needs (manufacturer’s can support)

May have your own for your organizational needs (i.e. educational to meet IEP goals, etc.)

Evaluation

What are their skills?

What can do?

Feature Matching – What features do they need? What technology can bridge the gap?

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More training needed?

What else would assist you?

Research opportunityMATCH – ACES

Get another AT assessment tool to assist you in matching AT to the individual

Focuses on matching child to technology based

on needs assessment (related to IEP), child predisposition, environmental factors, and product features matched to child’s needs. 

A collaborative team approach is recommended with an emphasis to include parent and student participation in the evaluation process. 

http://www.aactechconnect.com/events.cfm?goto=match

Upcoming: Archived trainings for use of toolkit Community board for eval overlays

/page sets Workshops in your area?

More in depth about doing evaluation Toolkit Tidbits newsletter Website – access to updates

Future topics

Access Comparing language representation

systems (i.e. InterAACT – Unity - Picture Wordpower, etc)

Device Features demonstrated Demonstrating with actual

eval/videos Others?

1) Device Assistant 30-day trial code

2) More information on AT evaluation research opportunity

3) Ask you to complete SHORT survey for feedback on how to improve training.

4) Put us in your address book – continue to receive emails (or provide alternate email)

Follow up email includes:

Do you . . .

Have some new strategies to try?

Have some things in your ACES toolkit bag to use?

Let us know how we can assist you!

info@aacTechConnect.com

www.aacTechConnect.com

866/482-2279