An Examination of Preference for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices with Two Boys with Significant Intellectual Disabilities

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen I. Cannella-Malone ◽  
Ruth M. DeBar ◽  
Jeff Sigafoos
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
pp. 40-54
Author(s):  
Jamie B. Boster ◽  
Joann P. Benigno ◽  
John W. McCarthy

Innovations in technology have resulted in increased use of tablets, mobile devices, and applications as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for children with complex communication needs (CCN). Although research has been conducted on the specific characteristics of AAC technologies, many interfaces remain replications of prior communication devices with little consideration of the features of newer platforms. A greater concern is that these interfaces may not be based on empirical evidence or derived from key developmental language theories. As such, these interfaces may place additional demands on children with CCN instead of supporting their development of language content, form, and use. The purpose of this paper is to discuss potential interface supports for AAC systems that capitalize on current technologies and draw upon key tenets of developmental theory.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna C. Schmidt-Naylor ◽  
Kathryn J. Saunders ◽  
Nancy C. Brady

PurposeWe explored alphabet supplementation as an augmentative and alternative communication strategy for adults with minimal literacy. Study 1's goal was to teach onset-letter selection with spoken words and assess generalization to untaught words, demonstrating the alphabetic principle. Study 2 incorporated alphabet supplementation within a naming task and then assessed effects on speech intelligibility.MethodThree men with intellectual disabilities (ID) and low speech intelligibility participated. Study 1 used a multiple-probe design, across three 20-word sets, to show that our computer-based training improved onset-letter selection. We also probed generalization to untrained words. Study 2 taught onset-letter selection for 30 new words chosen for functionality. Five listeners transcribed speech samples of the 30 words in 2 conditions: speech only and speech with alphabet supplementation.ResultsAcross studies 1 and 2, participants demonstrated onset-letter selection for at least 90 words. Study 1 showed evidence of the alphabetic principle for some but not all word sets. In study 2, participants readily used alphabet supplementation, enabling listeners to understand twice as many words.ConclusionsThis is the first demonstration of alphabet supplementation in individuals with ID and minimal literacy. The large number of words learned holds promise both for improving communication and providing a foundation for improved literacy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng-Ju Tsai

Speech language pathologists (SLPs) play a leading role in overall augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) service delivery. Several changes (e.g., the provision of university AAC courses) related to AAC occurred in Taiwan in the past. However, little information of AAC services provided by SLPs in Taiwan is available. The purpose of the article is to review the evolution of AAC service delivery by SLPs in Taiwan. Findings from Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong served as a reference. A questionnaire was mailed to 302 participants registered with the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Taiwan (SLHA) as SLPs. A response rate is 33%. Most SLPs work in a department of rehabilitation in a hospital setting which is in northern Taiwan. Workshops held by the SLHA were the major resources for obtaining professional knowledge in AAC. Collaboration with an AAC team and training in the use of high-tech communication devices were the most desired forms of information and/or training. Implications are discussed.


1994 ◽  
Vol 78 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1361-1362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard P. Parette

The provision of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to young children with disabilities is discussed in the context of potential effects on family functioning, followed by a call for research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1272-1281
Author(s):  
Kelsey Mandak ◽  
Janice Light ◽  
David McNaughton

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the Transition to Literacy (T2L) feature within video visual scene displays (VSDs) on the single-word reading of academic vocabulary concepts (i.e., weather concepts) by a preliterate adolescent with cerebral palsy and minimal speech. Method A single-subject, multiple-probe, across-word-sets design was used to evaluate the effects of the intervention. The intervention used an augmentative and alternative communication app programmed with video VSDs embedded with hot spots with the T2L feature to teach the adolescent 12 academic vocabulary words. Results The adolescent acquired all target words successfully with only minimal exposure to the written words through the app and was able to generalize her learning to two novel tasks. Using Tau-U to evaluate the size of the observed effects, there were very large effects across all word sets. Conclusions The findings from this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the T2L feature to improve single-word reading in preliterate individuals with minimal speech. The use of video VSDs and T2L technology together may offer professionals a unique way to complement current augmentative and alternative communication devices and literacy instruction for adolescents with minimal speech who are preliterate.


Author(s):  
C. Yang ◽  
L. Chuang ◽  
C. Yang ◽  
J. Chang

Morse code has been shown to be a valuable tool in assistive technology, augmentative and alternative communication, and rehabilitation for some people with various conditions such as spinal cord injuries, non-vocal quadriplegics, and visual or hearing impairments. In this article, a mobile phone human-interface system using a Morse code input device is designed and implemented for the person with disabilities to send/receive SMS (simple message service) messages or make/respond to a phone call. The proposed system is divided into three parts: input module, control module, and display module. The data format of the signal transmission between the proposed system and the communication devices is the PDU (protocol description unit) mode. Experimental results revealed that three participants with disabilities were able to operate the mobile phone through this human-interface after four weeks’ practice.


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