At Royal School for the Deaf and Communication Disorders we use a range of augmentative communication strategies, tailored to the needs of the individual. We provide a signing environment for all students who can benefit from it (all our staff are training to at least level 1 BSL). In addition, all our students use from some form of AAC.
AAC – Alternative & Augmentative Communication is a form of communication, which is used instead of speech (alternative) or to support existing speech (augmentative).
An AAC strategy/system may be used when a person has difficulty conveying or understanding a message in a face-to-face communication situation to the extent that they are failing or experiencing a high degree of frustration. The AAC system may be used when other ways of improving an individual’s communication skills have been tried.
The American Speech & Hearing Association (ASHA) refers to AAC as: - “an integrated group of components, including the symbols, aids, strategies and techniques used by individuals to enhance communication” ASHA (1991)
AAC systems can be divided into the following groups: -
1: Low tech
These systems are usually paper based. They are simple, flexible systems designed specifically for an individual. They may use objects, photographs, pictures or symbols to represent messages the individual may want to convey.
- Objects of reference
- Picture pointing books/charts
- Communication passports
- Picture exchange communication system (PECS)
- E-tran frame (eye-pointing frame)
- Talking mats
2: Light tech
These systems are simple voice output devices, usually battery operated.
Examples of light tech systems:
- BigMack
- LittleMack
- Talking Tins
- Talking Photo Album
3: High tech
These are sophisticated electronic voice output communication aids. They vary considerably in terms of the features contained within them.
Some provide a choice of 4/8 messages on different levels; others allow thousands of messages.
Example: GoTalk vs: MT4
Some high tech devices provide recorded speech output (digitised); others provide computerised speech output (synthesized).
Example: Springboard vs: Vantage
Some high tech devices are cut-down laptops allowing additional software to be used in conjunction with the communication information.
Example: Futurepad, Tellus
AAC systems are not effective without appropriate assessment of an individual’s communication skills. An AAC system requires appropriate implementation throughout an individual’s day, creating maximum opportunities for the user to try out their system in different ways.
For further information on AAC, please refer to:
www.communicationmatters.org.uk
www.ace-centre.org.uk
www.ace-north.org.uk
Alternatively contact our Speech & Language Therapy department on 0161 610 0140.