Supporting Communication Between Individuals With Disabilities and First Responders: A Preliminary Case-Based Interview Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Savanah C. DePew ◽  
Jennifer J. Thistle
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Communication Breakdowns ◽  
Potential Interactions ◽  
Specific Education

Purpose: During a crisis, an individual with a communication disability or difference is at risk of communication breakdowns that could unintentionally escalate the crisis. The goal of this preliminary study was to identify how first responders from various organizations may respond given scenarios presenting potential interactions with an individual with a communication impairment or difference. Method: Three adult participants currently serving as first responders completed semistructured interviews. Participants were asked how they would react in different hypothetical scenarios, all incorporating aspects of communication disorders and differences that could be misinterpreted. Data analysis consisted of transcribing the responses to each scenario and identifying the themes. Results: Participants across organizations receive general communication and disability training, rely on established procedures, problem-solving, open-mindedness, and use of departmental resources in their interactions. Conclusions: This preliminary study illustrates awareness of existing protocols and organizational supports that may support interactions with individuals with communication disorders and differences. Potential areas for additional resources and training include the use of augmentative and alternative communication and disability-specific education.

An Exploratory Study on Augmentative and Alternative Communication Classroom Integration Training for Special Educators Who Work With Children With Complex Communication Needs in the Bahamas

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 991-1016
Author(s):  
Shameka Stanford ◽  
Ovetta Harris
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Special Educators ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Complex Communication Needs ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Classroom Integration ◽  
And Training

Purpose In 2011, the United Nations estimated there were between 180 and 220 million youth with disabilities living around the world, and 80% of them resided in developing countries. Over the last 6 years, this number has increased significantly, and now, over 1 million people live in the Caribbean with some form of disability such as communication disorders resulting in complex communication needs (CCN). Method This publication discusses the benefits of an exploratory, descriptive, nonexperimental study on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) classroom integration training for 8 special educators in the Bahamas who work with children with CCN. Results The results of this study revealed that 100% of the participants reported the study to be effective in increasing their knowledge and skill in the area of implementing AAC into their classrooms, enhancing their ability to team teach and incorporate AAC opportunities for all students with CCN within their classrooms, and increasing their knowledge and skill overall in the areas of AAC and CCN. Conclusion The findings highlight an important area of potential professional development and training that can be replicated in other English-speaking Caribbean territories focused on AAC classroom integration training program for special educators who teach students with CCN.

scholarly journals An AAC Mobile-Based Application for People with Intellectual Disability: A Case Study in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Mauro José Conte ◽  
Marcelo Gitirana Gomes Ferreira ◽  
Alejandro R. García Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Educational Value ◽  
Rehabilitation Process ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
System Usability

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) techniques are employed to mediate communication with people who have communication disorders, as in cases of intellectual disability. Although there are various digital solutions that promote alternative communication options for individuals with communication disorders, only a few of them have been specifically designed or targeted to people with intellectual disability (ID). This work is motivated by the lack of AAC solutions contributing to the rehabilitation processes of individuals with intellectual disability in Brazil. The study presents a mobile-based AAC solution conceived as a tool to assist the rehabilitation process of people with ID. The design was based on user-centered design principles and accessibility standards. The System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire was used to evaluate the solution. Four specialists and twenty-five students participated in this study. The proposed solution shows the potential educational value for professionals who assist individuals with intellectual disability in Brazil.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Use Among Patients Followed by a Multidisciplinary Cleft and Craniofacial Team

2020 ◽  
pp. 105566562094760
Author(s):  
Mark N. Brown ◽  
Lynn Marty Grames ◽  
Gary B. Skolnick
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Tertiary Teaching ◽  
Syndromic Diagnosis ◽  
Tertiary Teaching Hospital ◽  
Therapeutic Context ◽  
Communication Needs

Objective: To establish preliminary data describing the number of patients who visit a multidisciplinary cleft and craniofacial team who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports. Design: This retrospective study consisted of chart reviews for all patients who visited a single site’s multidisciplinary cleft and craniofacial team for 1 calendar year. Setting: A single multidisciplinary craniofacial team at a tertiary teaching hospital. Participants: Four hundred sixty-four patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Of these, 59.9% (n = 278) were male and 40.1% (n = 186) were female. Results: Of the sample population, 6.9% (n = 32) were AAC users as they received AAC intervention in a therapeutic context, while 93.1% (n = 432) were not. The AAC group had a mean age of 5.1 years (standard deviation [SD]: 4.2) and was 68.8% (n = 22) male. The non-AAC group had a mean age of 6.3 (SD: 4.9) and was 59.3% (n = 256) male. Within the AAC group, 40.6% (n = 13) were found to have an identified syndromic diagnosis in comparison to 17.6% (n = 76) of the non-AAC group ( P = .003). Conclusions: This is the first study to report the prevalence of AAC use among patients in the care of multidisciplinary cleft and craniofacial teams. Our findings suggest that a subset of craniofacial team patients may have complex communication disorders that require AAC supports. Craniofacial teams should be aware of resources available for these patients so that the patients’ communication needs are met in the hospital, in school, and in the community.

Assistive Technologies at the Edge of Language and Speech Science for Children with Communication Disorders

2016 ◽  
pp. 996-1019
Author(s):  
Joséphine Anne Genèvieve Ancelle
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Language Disorders ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
The United States ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Text To Speech ◽  
Therapy Room ◽  
Speech Science

About two million individuals in the United States use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices with text-to-speech (TTS) synthesis to speak on their behalf. In this chapter, two specific systems are introduced and evaluated as potentially significant emerging tools for children with communication disorders. The VocalIDTM project was developed to provide unique voices for children who otherwise speak through standard adult voices. Free SpeechTM is an image-based system designed to address grammatical concepts perceived as abstract by children with language disorders. This chapter also reviews the latest developments in electropalatography (EPG): biofeedback technology, which enables the visualization of tongue to palate contact during speech production. SmartPalateTM has developed cutting-edge hardware and software technology to make EPG more intuitive and more accessible in the therapy room and at home.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Technologies

2010 ◽  
pp. 1070-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gondy Leroy ◽  
Leo Gianluca De
Keyword(s):  
Communication System ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Picture Exchange Communication System ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Technical Solutions

Communication is a dynamic process that creates and conveys a mutual understanding between two or more people. Since this process is complex and not easily taught, there exist many communication disorders ranging from a physical limitation, such as ALS, to a cognitive language disorder, such as autism. Augmentative and alternative communication systems (AACs) help people with communication disorders by providing them substituted means for communicating. These systems range from non-technical solutions, such as a paper-based PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), to elaborate technical solutions, such as a plasma picture communication table. Due to the increased attention to AACs, the Worldwide Health Organization (WHO) provides a framework to evaluate effectiveness. Using this framework as a basis, the authors identified barriers and support factors for AAC effectiveness and subsequently best practices for AAC designs. They conclude with a case study of adapting a paper-based picture-based communication system to mobile devices using open-source software development for use by children with severe autism.

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