Conducting AAC Assessments With Competence

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Mercurio-Standridge
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Technology Evaluation ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Areas Of Concern

The process for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessment is complex and requires participation and input from a variety of stakeholders. This paper addresses this challenge by exploring a framework for assessment through the Dynamic Assistive Technology Evaluation (Texas Assisitve Technology Network, 2013) which guides clinicians in identifying areas of concern, gathering and analyzing relevant assessment information related to those concerns, generating solutions, conducting trials and collecting data on effectiveness of AAC systems, and formulating and documenting results.

scholarly journals Consumer Satisfaction with Telerehabilitation Service Provision of Alternative Computer Access and Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmund F. LoPresti ◽  
Andrew Jinks ◽  
Richard C. Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Computer Access ◽  
Technology Evaluation ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽  
And Training

Telerehabilitation (TR) services for assistive technology evaluation and training have the potential to reduce travel demands for consumers and assistive technology professionals while allowing evaluation in more familiar, salient environments for the consumer. Sixty-five consumers received TR services for augmentative and alternative communication or alternative computer access, and consumer satisfaction was compared with twenty-eight consumers who received exclusively in-person services. TR recipients rated their TR services at a median of 6 on a 6-point Likert scale TR satisfaction questionnaire, although individual responses did indicate room for improvement in the technology. Overall satisfaction with AT services was rated highly by both in-person (100% satisfaction) and TR (99% satisfaction) service recipients.

Participação da família na confecção de tecnologia assistiva para pessoas com deficiência (p. 163-178)

1969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munique Massaro ◽  
Débora Deliberato
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Family Involvement ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Family Relations ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Rehabilitation Professionals ◽  
The Family ◽  
El Sistema ◽  
Technology Professional ◽  
Technology Resources

ResumoConsultoria colaborativa entre os profissionais da reabilitação e as famílias das pessoas com deficiência é essencial para o uso dos recursos de tecnologia assistiva em diversos contextos. Assim, este artigo tem como objetivo analisar as etapas de preparação e de desenvolvimento dos recursos de tecnologia assistiva durante as oficinas de orientação sobre o sistema de comunicação alternativa para as famílias das pessoas com deficiência. Participaram deste estudo cinco famílias de adultos com deficiência que usam a comunicação suplementar e alternativa. Durante a coleta de dados, foram utilizados diário de bordo e a tecnologia de vídeo. Os resultados indicaram que a sistematização dos passos para a elaboração e para a adaptação do recurso foi fundamental para a construção de adaptação de materiais. O envolvimento da família na seleção, na adaptação e na utilização de recursos de comunicação suplementar e alternativa favoreceu a compreensão da família sobre a importância da comunicação alternativa.Palavras-chave: Tecnologia assistiva. Relações profissional-família. Linguagem.Family participation in crafting assistive technology resources for people with disabilitiesAbstractCollaborative consultation between rehabilitation professionals with families of disabled people is essential for the use of assistive technology resources in different contexts. Therefore, this article aims to analyze the preparation and development steps of the assistive technology resources during alternative communication system workshops for disabled people’s families. In this study, we selected five families of disabled adults that use augmentative and alternative communication. During the data collection a logbook and video technology were used. The results showed that the systematization of steps to elaborate and adapt the resource was key to construct the adapting of materials. The family involvement in the selection, adaptation and use of augmentative and alternative communication resources favored the understanding of the family on the importance of alternative communication.Keywords: Assistive technology. Professional-family relations. Language.Participación de la familia en la fabricación de tecnología de asistencia para personas con discapacidadResumenConsultoría de colaboración entre los profesionales de la rehabilitación con las familias de las personas con discapacidad es esencial para el uso de los recursos de tecnología de asistencia en diferentes contextos. Por lo tanto, este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las etapas de preparación y desarrollo de los recursos de tecnología de asistencia durante los talleres de orientación sobre el sistema de comunicación alternativa para las familias de personas con discapacidad. En este estudio participaron cinco familias de adultos con discapacidad que utilizan la comunicación aumentativa y alternativa. Durante la recolección de datos se utilizaron bitácora y tecnología de vídeo. Los resultados indicaron que la sistematización de medidas para el desarrollo y la adaptación de la función era esencial para la construcción de materiales de adaptación. La participación familiar en la selección, adaptación y uso de características y alternativas de comunicación adicionales a favor de la comprensión de la familia acerca de la importancia de la comunicación alternativa.Palabras clave: Tecnología de asistencia. Relaciones profesionales en la familia. Lenguaje.

Instructional Strategies for People With Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

2022 ◽  
pp. 98-113
Author(s):  
Laura Roche ◽  
Jeff Sigafoos
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Instructional Strategies ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Adaptive Behavior ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Multiple Disabilities ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Systematic Instruction ◽  
Instructional Programs ◽  
Communication Devices

Educating people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD)creates a number of challenges. One general challenge relates to identifying and successfully implementing instructional programs for developing and enhancing the person's adaptive behavior, such as teaching communication and social skills and increasing their overall level of engagement. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of three main instructional approaches that have been applied to enhance engagement and adaptive behavior functioning among people with PIMD. These approaches are (1) intensive interaction, (2) systematic instruction, and (3) assistive technology. Two case studies are included to illustrate the use of assistive technology—specifically augmentative and alternative communication devices and micro-switches—with two adolescents with PIMD. This overview and the case studies suggest that the use of systematic instructional tactics to establish functional use of assistive technology can be an effective instructional approach for people with PIMD.

The use of augmentative and alternative communication in Cyprus: Findings from a preliminary survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliada Pampoulou ◽  
Eleni Theodorou ◽  
Kakia Petinou
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Clinical Judgment ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Picture Exchange Communication System ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Alternative Communication

Whilst augmentative and alternative communication has been used for over sixty years across many countries, in Cyprus it remains underdeveloped. The current study seeks to investigate the current AAC practices in Cyprus. Data were collected through electronically distributed questionnaires to all registered speech and language therapists ( n = 330), contacted by the Cyprus Speech Therapy Association. The questionnaire comprised 12 questions, which were categorized into three sections: background information (educational level and clinical experience), training undergone (during or after completion of tertiary education) and participants’ AAC practices (caseload, assessment and intervention). The findings from the analysis of the returned data ( n = 59) reveal that training provision on augmentative and alternative communication has positively influenced practice. Most of the participants received training in the specific field during their bachelor’s degree, rather than during later education. Life-long training on different language systems (including different assistive technology tools, such as symbols and talking products as well as methods such as the Picture Exchange Communication System) also played a pivotal role in their work. Regarding the assessment process, the findings show that whilst there are a number of standardized language assessment tools, the participants relied heavily on non-standardized tools and/or their clinical judgment. Regarding intervention, they reported using different language systems and a variety of Assistive Technology equipment. Several recommendations are made aimed at raising the profile of AAC services in Cyprus, especially with regards to training and assessment, as the findings show that these areas have not been addressed systemically thus far.

Free Assistive Technology Software for Persons with Motor Disabilities

2014 ◽  
pp. 110-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandros Pino
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Text Entry ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Motor Disabilities ◽  
Switch Control ◽  
Voice Control ◽  
Control Switch

Free assistive technology software can be an answer to various problems of the market, most importantly the products’ high cost. The focus of this chapter is on open source software and freeware available at online repositories like Raising the Floor, EmpTech, Adaptech, ATHENA, OATSoft, and Project:Possibility. The most important features and suggested information fields for each included application are presented, followed by a comparison of the repositories in the context of these features. Finally, brief descriptions and prominent examples of free AT applications are given in the following categories: augmentative and alternative communication, click helpers, content simplification, eye control, games, head control, joystick control, media players, mouse enhancers, on-screen keyboards, scanning, shortcuts and macros, stylus control, switch control, talking browsers, text entry, text readers, voice control, and word prediction.

Family Issues and Assistive Technology Needs: A Sampling of State Practices

1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 27-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard P. Parette ◽  
Jack J. Hourcade
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Service System ◽  
Federal Legislation ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Family Issues ◽  
Preschoolers With Disabilities ◽  
The Many

In part as a result of federal legislation in the 1980s and 1990s, preschoolers with disabilities and their families increasingly have access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. However, to date much is still to be learned about the degree to which various factors impact the many decisions inherent in prescribing AAC devices for these children. This survey of the 58 Part H coordinators throughout the nation queried respondents on services provided; factors considered during evaluation; the role of families in this process; and the consideration of the characteristics of the child, the technology, and the service system. The results are discussed in light of the necessity for sensitivity on the part of professionals to family issues.

scholarly journals Mobile Interaction for Augmentative and Alternative Communication: a Systematic Mapping

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Rúbia Eliza de Oliveira Schultz Ascari ◽  
Roberto Pereira ◽  
Luciano Silva
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Speech Disorders ◽  
Verbal Communication ◽  
Interactive Systems ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Systematic Mapping ◽  
Technological Support ◽  
Alternative Means

Verbal communication is essential for socialization, meaning construction and knowledge sharing in a society. When verbal communication does not occur naturally because of constraints in people’s and environments capabilities, it is necessary to design alternative means. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) aims to complement or replace speech to compensate difficulties of verbal expression. AAC systems can provide technological support for people with speech disorders, assisting in the inclusion, learning and sharing of experiences. This paper presents a systematic mapping of the literature to identify research initiatives regarding the use of mobile devices and AAC solutions. The search identified 1366 potentially eligible scientific articles published between 2006 and 2016, indexed by ACM, IEEE, Science Direct, and Springer databases and by the SBC Journal on Interactive Systems. From the retrieved papers, 99 were selected and categorized into themes of research interest: games, autism, usability, assistive technology, AAC, computer interfaces, interaction in mobile devices, education, among others. Most of papers (57 out of 99) presented some form of interaction via mobile devices, and 46 papers were related to assistive technology, from which 14 were related to AAC. The results offer an overview on the applied research on mobile devices for AAC, pointing out to opportunities and challenges in this research domain, with emphasis on the need to promoting the use and effective adoption of assistive technology.

scholarly journals O ATENDIMENTO EDUCACIONAL ESPECIALIZADO (AEE) PARA ALUNOS COM MÚLTIPLAS DEFICIÊNCIAS FRENTE ÀS POLÍTICAS DE INCLUSÃO ESCOLAR: UM ESTUDO SOBRE PRÁTICAS PEDAGÓGICAS

RevistAleph ◽  
2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maíra Gomes de Souza da Rocha ◽  
Márcia Denise Pletsch
Keyword(s):  
Public School ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Educational Assistance ◽  
Resource Room ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Policies And Practices

 O texto apresenta resultados de investigação em curso sobre políticas e práticas dirigidas a alunos com múltiplas deficiências. A análise enfatizou ações que utilizam recursos de Tecnologia Assistiva e Comunicação Alternativa e Ampliada. O estudo qualitativo realizou-se em Nova Iguaçu/RJ em sala de recursos de escola pública e evidenciou as dificuldades, as complexidades e a relevância do trabalho pedagógico realizado no AEE garantindo a aprendizagem dos alunos. Palavras-chave: Atendimento Educacional Especializado; práticaspedagógicas; múltiplas deficiências.Abstract:The paper presents results of an ongoing research on policies and practices directed to students with multiple deficiencies. The analysis emphasized actions using resources of Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. The qualitative study was conducted in Nova Iguaçu/RJ in a resource room of a public school and it evidenced up the difficulties, the complexities and the relevance of pedagogical work in SEA ensuring student learning.Keywords: Specialized Educational Assistance, pedagogical practices,multiple deficiencies.

Holistic Approach to Physical Motor Access Assessment in Pediatric AAC

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Kay
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Physical Disability ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Physical Disabilities ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Physical Access

Clinicians in the fields of occupational therapy and speech-language pathology have been involved with assessing children with physical disabilities for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for decades. Still, assessment for these particular children, with their varying levels of complexity, continues to offer significant challenges to clinical evaluation teams. Even when the speech-language pathology intervention seems clear, complications arise and assessments can become stalled as to the child's physical access to the technology. This paper seeks to identify the need for clinicians skilled in the areas of AAC and assistive technology, and review the inherent challenges faced in the assessment of a child with a physical disability for AAC. An introduction to a holistic approach to the physical access assessment portion of the overall AAC assessment is then provided, along with examples where the application of a holistic approach may affect the physical access decisions made by the team.

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