Assistive Technologyin the Classroom
Session 6Assistive Technology that Supports Communication
Communication Technologies
Presentation Agenda
Introduction
Planning for AAC
AAC Intervention
AAC Technology
Introduction
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
AAC is the use of technology to support, enhance, and supplement the communication of individuals who are not independent verbal communicators in all situations.
Includes no tech, low tech, and high tech systems
Think about this… Why do we communicate? What are the different purposes of
communication? What do you think is the most important
purpose of communication?
Purposes of Communication
To socialize and interact
To exchange information
To make requests
Common Myths about AAC
AAC is just for expressing wants and needs
AAC has prerequisitesStudents must have achieved some level of cognitive or physical ability before they can use AAC
The number of symbols in the AAC system should be limited
Including AAC Users
Provide as many communication opportunities as possible
Provide instruction on how to communicate
Be a good communication partner
Expect communication
Focus on growth and success… …not perfection
Planning for Inclusion
Formal and informal assessments
Extended trials
Establish reliable access to system
Establish clear goalsShort term (communicate now!)
Medium term (by the end of this school year)
Long term (preparing for adulthood)
Watch this…Many teams do a fantastic job of providing communication opportunities for their AAC using students!
Brad and Jeffrey’s team have created a wonderful opportunity for peer tutoring so that both students can use their AAC system more effectively
Brad and Jeffrey: The Power of Communication
AAC Intervention Strategies
Models
Intervention strategies
Message selection
AAC Intervention ModelsSelection of model based on
Philosophy of team, research, experience
Models are not mutually exclusive
Intervention always goal based
ModelsDevelopmental approach
Second language approach
System for Augmenting Language
Communicative Competence
AAC Intervention Strategies
Classroom lifeAttention getting, turn taking, real kid language, plan for unexpected responses
Routines and choice makingGreetings, participation vocabulary, comments
Centre TimeOpportunity to model choice making and literacy development
Journal TimeCore vocabulary, extended vocabulary, alphabet array
Break Time!
AAC InterventionMessage Selection
Complex and critical to success of intervention
Factors affecting vocabulary selectionCommunication purpose, motivation and relevance, message functions, vocabulary issues
Symbol setsUnaided and aided symbols
Symbol set features
Types of messagesLetters, words, phrases, sentences, facilitators, self-advocacy
Session ActivityPractice creating communication boards for a student who is having lunch with his peers in school. Draw a grid on a piece of paper and write one word or short sentence messages in each square. These get more challenging as you work your way down!
Create a communication board with 15 different messages
Create a communication board with 9 different messages
Create a communication board with 5 different messages
Create a message for a student that only deliver 1 message!
What did you notice as you had to reduce the number of messages each time – which were the first to go? What messages did you decide to keep? What did you consider the single most important message for the student to be able to say at the lunch table?
Boardmaker Plus Software Boardmaker Plus electronic symbol library most common symbol set used in schools today
Very easy to use but important to know how to get the most out of the program to create custom communication boards and visual schedules for your students
Free trial download from www.mayer-johnson.com
Great collection of Boardmaker / Boardmaker Plus boardsSET-BC’s pictureSET
Break Time!
Speech Generating Devices
Single message
Multiple message
Dynamic display
Icon sequencing
Text-to-speech
Single Message DevicesOne message available at a time
Primarily for student inclusion and participation
Easily programmed and reprogrammed
Battery operated
Very portable
Curriculum ideasGreetings, comments, repeated lines in books, punch line from joke, oral survey question
Single Message ExamplesBig Mack (www.ablenetinc.com)
Step-by-Step Communicator (www.ablenetinc.com)
Partner One (www.turningpointtechnology.com)
Multiple Message Devices
Sequencing symbols
Greater independence
Multiple overlays
Customize size and number of messages
Can use alternate access methods
Curriculum ideasClassroom routines, literacy activities, answering questions in class, social communication
Multiple Message ExamplesTechSpeak / TechScan (www.amdi.net)
Smart Talk / Smart Scan (www.amdi.net)
Go Talk (www.attainmentcompany.com)
Partner 4 (www.turningpointtechnology.com)
Hip Talk (www.enablingdevices.com)
Activity Pad (www.mayerjohnson.com)
Dynamic Display DevicesAccess more symbols by changing display
Multiple access methods
Varying degrees of portability
All symbols, messages, and displays need to be customized
Curriculum ideasUseful in any activity at school or home
Dynamic Display ExamplesComputer software
Boardmaker Plus / Speaking Dynamically Pro
Proloquo2Go (iProducts) www.proloquo2go.com
Dedicated DevicesDynavox products – e.g. V and VMax
www.dynavoxtech.com
Prentke Romich products – e.g. Springboard Lite
www.prentrom.com
Satillo products – e.g. ChatPC Silk
www.satillo.com
Icon Sequencing Devices
Finite set of symbols with multiple meanings
Message depends on the sequence of use
Generative messages can be created
Multiple access methods
Symbols and text
Curriculum ideasGenerates novel language and messages
Effective and efficient for communication
Icon Sequencing ExamplesPrentke Romich Devices
www.prentrom.com
Springboard Lite
Vantage / Vanguard Lite
ECO
Watch this…Many students use different SGDs for both communication and academic purposes
Watch a video entitled Terron – The Ad-Vantage of Writing to see how he uses his icon sequencing device for pursuing his dream of becoming an author
Break Time!
Text-to-Speech Devices
Generates synthesized speech by typing in letters, words or sentences
May be time consuming and tiring
Has some encoding strategies
Curriculum ideasAs long as the non-speaking person can spell, any words, sentences or messages can be spoken
Text-to-Speech Examples
LightWriter (www.zygo.com)
Dynawrite (www.dynavoxtech.com)
Polyana (www.zygo-usa.com)
Dubby II (www.zygo-usa.com)
AAC System Not DeviceAAC users have a communication ‘system’
Everyone has multiple ways of communicating
No tech, low tech, high tech
systems when and where
appropriate
Final thoughts…
“The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.”
Anthony Robbins
“Such is human psychology that if we don’t express our joy, we soon cease to feel it.”
Lin Yutang
Discussion ForumIn this session’s discussion, your small group will create two lesson plans that integrate the technology you’ve selected for your student
Review the AT solution you’ve selected
Review your student’s schedule
Select two subjects/activities to create simple lesson plans showing how technology will be used by student
Choose a reporter!
Session Summary ActivityLink to Session 6 Summary Activity
Session 6 Summary Activity
Will be emailed to you after this session!
Any Questions?Almost at the end of the
Learning Option!