AAC Implementation
Presented by:
Justin Sims, MA.
AT Specialist LA-AEM
Adjunct LSU Faculty, COMD Department
Justin@ssdla-aem.org
This is a simulation of a team implementing AAC
Main goal: Understanding best practices to successfully implement AAC in all environments with your TEAM
AAC requires these beliefs:
AAC requires these beliefs:
“The Power of Core Vocabulary”
Project Core
We are Submerged into language before school age.
Importance of receptive communication with AAC
Jane Korsten, SLP, (2011) QIAT Listserv 4th April
84 Years
18 Months
How many core words to start with (grid size)?
How many core words to start with (grid size)?
What if…….
_________
_____ ___ ____ _____ ____ ____ ___ ___ ________
____ a _____ ____ ____ ____ ___ a ____ _____
___________
_____ the ____ _____ ____ ____ ___ ___ the____
not a _____ ____ ____ not ___ a ____ _____
First Grade
_____the _____ before ______ when all______ the ____
Not a _____ was ____ not even a _____
Second Grade
_____The night before ________ when all through the house
Not a _____ was ____ not even a mouse
…. Several years later
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads
EVERYONE needs the least restrictive access to See, Hear, and speak in order to learn language
You can hide a few things…...
You can use core boards that build
You can use midtech with levels
Stay “Snug” spontaneous novel utterance generation
Two types of approaches
Make sure you get to a device that will “dynamically” grow with the student, or find multiple aac systems if there are other difficulties to accessing a dynamic device.
Low-tech
Communication Boards
Mid-tech
Static Display Devices (1 to 128 locations with or without levels)
High-tech
Dynamic Display Device (simple to complex)
Alternative Augmentative Communication
Pragmatic Organizational Dynamic Display
Problem: Which symbolset ?!
How long to learn a 2nd language (communication partners).
"MIT Scientists prove adults learn language to fluency nearly ...." https://medium.com/@chacon/mit-scientists-prove-adults-learn-language-to-fluency-nearly-as-well-as-children-1de888d1d45f. Accessed 26 Oct. 2020.
Aided Language Stimulation
“Aided Language Stimulation is the process of modelling Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) language in everyday settings. The communication partner talks to the person while also pointing/selecting keywords on the person’s AAC system. ALS helps develop the person’s understanding of language and symbols. ALS also enhances the person’s expressive language skills.”
Aided Language Stimulation Strategies - Assistive Technology ...." https://at-aust.org/assets/EC_Infosheet-ALS_Strategies.pdf. Accessed 23 Oct. 2020.
Model, play, and focus on activity/communicator
Model before asking questions with that vocab
Teach reciprocate child’s vocab with witn natural consequences
Plan Activities for AAC opportunities
Avoid too many questions!
Avoid obvious questions.
Prompting hierarchy after targeted words have already been sufficiently modeled.
Train ALL communication partners
Frustration
Avoid Multiple Choice-itus
Always model a step above the student’s ability
Engineering the Environment
Peer Pressure
You can START with light scripting to get going
Top scripts for Home with Core
Top scripts for modeling at school with Core
Include a Variety of Pragmatic Functions
Communication Tasks:
AssistiveWare Core Word Classroom
Center for AAC and Autism
Make a Plan to manage the device
Low Tech Back Up Required!
iPad instructions for screen shots
Restrictions/Screentime/Lock Options
Your tablet when a kid gets into the settings….
Interaction and Access
Stops repeating/multiple presses:
Select on release:
Hold duration:
Switch Access:
Auto Clear Message:
Keyguards
So advance they were beyond the scope of this training (contact for consults)
Get toolkit of AAC assessment tools
Transition/Implementation Plan