Clinical Aspects Related to Tele-AAC: A Technical Report

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nerissa Hall ◽  
Michelle Boisvert

Tele-AAC is a method of service delivery in which professionals provide intervention, assessment, and consultation services through the use of telecommunication technologies to individuals who use augmentative communication systems. In response to the nationwide shortage of highly trained speech-language pathologists, tele-AAC has emerged as a viable way to reach underserved clients. This paper examines the clinical aspects related to tele-AAC, including required and supplementary technology/equipment, resources and personnel needed, training, and quality assurance considerations. In addition, the infrastructure necessary to deliver the range of synchronous and asynchronous tele-AAC services is discussed.

1981 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard C. Shane ◽  
David E. Yoder

Greater numbers of nonspeaking persons are being educated in public schools. Public school speech-language pathologists frequently have minimal training and experience in providing appropriate augmentative communication system training to this population. This paper provides options, based on PL 94-142's mandates and ASHA's Code of Ethics, for service delivery of such systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 586-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn A. Clarke ◽  
Diane L. Williams

Purpose The aim of this research study was to examine common practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with respect to whether or not SLPs consider processing differences in ASD or the effects of input during their instruction. Method Following a qualitative research method, how SLPs instruct and present augmentative and alternative communication systems to individuals with ASD, their rationale for method selection, and their perception of the efficacy of selected interventions were probed. Semistructured interviews were conducted as part of an in-depth case report with content analysis. Results Based on completed interviews, 4 primary themes were identified: (a) instructional method , (b) input provided , (c) decision-making process , and (d) perceived efficacy of treatment . Additionally, one secondary theme, training and education received , was identified . Conclusions Clinicians reported making decisions based on the needs of the child; however, they also reported making decisions based on the diagnostic category that characterized the child (i.e., ASD). The use of modeling when teaching augmentative and alternative communication to individuals with ASD emerged as a theme, but variations in the method of modeling were noted. SLPs did not report regularly considering processing differences in ASD, nor did they consider the effects of input during instruction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1666-1682
Author(s):  
Lena G. Caesar ◽  
Merertu Kitila

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) regarding their academic preparation and current confidence levels for providing dysphagia services, and the relationship between their perceptions of graduate school preparation and their current levels of confidence. Method This study utilized an online survey to gather information from 374 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association–certified SLPs who currently provide dysphagia services in the United States. Surveys were primarily distributed through American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Special Interest Group forums and Facebook groups. The anonymous survey gathered information regarding SLPs' perceptions of academic preparation and current confidence levels for providing dysphagia services in 11 knowledge and skill areas. Results Findings indicated that more than half of respondents did not feel prepared following their graduate academic training in five of the 11 knowledge and skill areas related to dysphagia service delivery. However, about half of respondents indicated they were currently confident about their ability to provide services in eight of the 11 knowledge and skill areas. Findings also indicated that their current confidence levels to provide dysphagia services were significantly higher than their perceptions of preparation immediately following graduate school. However, no significant relationships were found between respondents' self-reported current confidence levels and their perceptions of the adequacy of their academic preparation. Conclusions Despite SLPs' low perceptions of the adequacy of their graduate preparation for providing dysphagia services in specific knowledge and skill areas immediately following graduation, they reported high confidence levels with respect to their actual service delivery. Implications of these findings are discussed.


Author(s):  
Diane L. Kendall

Purpose The purpose of this article was to extend the concepts of systems of oppression in higher education to the clinical setting where communication and swallowing services are delivered to geriatric persons, and to begin a conversation as to how clinicians can disrupt oppression in their workplace. Conclusions As clinical service providers to geriatric persons, it is imperative to understand systems of oppression to affect meaningful change. As trained speech-language pathologists and audiologists, we hold power and privilege in the medical institutions in which we work and are therefore obligated to do the hard work. Suggestions offered in this article are only the start of this important work.


2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica L. Bellon-Harn ◽  
Michael T. Garrett

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has established knowledge and skills needed for culturally competent service delivery by speech-language pathologists. Among these are skills needed to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural and linguistic differences. The purpose of this article is to describe a model, VISION, to assist in development of cultural competence. This article includes a description of the components of VISION followed by vignettes to illustrate its application.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2113 (1) ◽  
pp. 012032
Author(s):  
Zihe Wang ◽  
Boyu Si ◽  
Jingwen Wang

Abstract In clinical practice, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an effective training tool to improve the communication skills of individuals with language impairment, hearing impairment, and autism. However, there are few studies on the development of augmentative communication systems based on Mandarin Chinese in China. This study presents an augmentative communication system developed using the MATLAB GUI platform. The system consists of two parts: a learning part and a communication part, where the learning part provides the basis of the vocabulary content for the system, covering 5558 words, and its content is mainly a word list designed based on the content of special school language textbooks. The communication part provides the system with a complete discourse training content, mainly by arranging and combining the vocabulary content of the learning part to form a complete discourse. This aided communication system can expand the vocabulary of people with language expression disorders and improve their social communication skills. In addition, the effectiveness of the system was tested in a single-subject experiment, and the results showed that the augmentative communication system is effective in learning pronunciation, expanding vocabulary, and improving the social communication.


2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Kohnert ◽  
Mary R. T. Kennedy ◽  
Leslie Glaze ◽  
Pui Fong Kan ◽  
Edward Carney

This study explored the impact of recent demographic changes on clinical service delivery in the state of Minnesota. A Web-based survey was used to ask speech-language pathologists in Minnesota about their training, clinical caseloads, and professional experiences with respect to diversity. Primary survey goals were to (a) determine if, and how, recent changes in the overall state demographics were reflected on caseloads of speech-language pathologists, and (b) identify challenges clinicians faced in meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse population. The authors considered the breadth or range of economically, racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse populations represented on caseloads, relative to depth of diversity. Survey results are discussed with respect to challenges inherent in providing services to a diverse caseload, together with the competencies needed in order to meet these professional challenges.


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