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COMMUNICATION
To determine whether an individual will
benefit from assistive technology in the area of communication,
AT professionals should ask the following consideration
question: “Can the individual effectively communicate
his or her needs and wants without the use of aids or
devices?” If the answer to this question is “no,” then
professionals may want to assess this area further to
determine if AT is needed.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) refers
to an area of practice that attempts to compensate (either
temporarily or permanently) for the impairment and disability
patterns of individuals with severe expressive communication
disorders (ASHA, 1989). This method of communication
can serve to enhance (augment) the existing abilities
of the communicator or replace conventional forms of
expression altogether (alternative). AAC includes a variety
of strategies to enable the communicator to express wants
and needs. Techniques, aids, symbols, and strategies
may all be used. Two primary types of AAC techniques
include:
- Unaided Techniques (hand signs, body movements, facial
expressions, eye gaze, etc.)
- Aided Techniques (a physical
object or device is used to transmit messages such
as a communication board or
electronic device)
A variety of symbol sets (picture symbols, miniature
objects, photographs, line drawings, etc.) and AAC devices
and tools exist on the market or can be created by the
AT professional.
Below is a collection of articles, handouts/forms, photos,
and useful links related to the area of communication.
Reference:
Reed, P (Ed.). Assessing Student’s Needs for Assistive Technology: A
Resource Manual for School District Teams (4th ed.). Wisconsin Assistive
Technology Initiative: 2004. |
