Communication and Augmentative and Alternative

Communication Supports

What is AAC?

“Any device, system, or method that

improves the ability of a child with a communication impairment to

communicate effectively” YAACK

Unaided Communication

• Any means of communication that uses one’s body

• Gestures• Facial expressions• Eye gaze• Vocalizations• Sign language

Aided Communication

• Any means of communication outside of one’s body

• Pictures• Symbols• Printed words on paper• AAC devices

• Aided AAC can be further divided • Low tech• Mid tech• High tech

Low Tech AAC

• Involve no electricity• Simplest and most

often the least expensive tools

• Easily made and quickly accessed

• Can be used as a primary or secondary means of communication

Mid Tech AAC

• 1-4 messages• Battery powered • Recorded speech

output• Options to use

objects, photographs, or pictures

Take or Place N’ Talk

Enabling Devices

BIGmack Communicator

AbleNet

Talkable

Enabling Devices

Mid Tech AAC

• Greater number of messages

• Battery powered• Recorded speech output• Ability to have messages

on multiple levels• May have alternative

modes of access – visual and scanning

Tech Talk

AMDIGoTalk

Attainment

Turn N’ Talk

Frame Technologies

High Tech AAC

• Dedicated AAC devices• Computer based features• Preprogrammed

communication software• Requires access to

electricity • Dynamic display feature

Springboard Lite

Prentke-Romach

M3

Dynavox

Tango

BlinkTwice

High Tech AAC

• Non-dedicated AAC• Computer based

features• Word processing• Educational software• Internet connection • Communication

software

• Examples:• Laptop computers• Tablet PC’s• PDA’s

The ‘V’

DynaVox

Chat PC3

Satillo

Say It Sam

Words+

Mercury

Assistive Technology

AAC Device Trials

• Describe the features needed for a communication tool across all instructional environments

• Explore all potential solutions • Collect performance data on each tool • Performance data supports or disproves

solutions tried• Performance data evaluates outcomes and

measures student performance toward goals

Michigan Integrated Technology Supports (MITS)

• Located at Central Michigan University

• Supports a lending library of AAC devices

• 6 week loan cycle

• Email or call for information on:• Wait time for loan• Available items and new items in library

What About Medicaid?

• AAC assessment - Department of Communication Disorders at CMU

• Fill out a pre-assessment form• Student, parents, SLP, teacher attend evaluation• Assessments are done on Wednesday’s• 2-3 hours trying different devices• CMU will generate an AAC report for Medicaid• Medicaid will replace a device every 3 years for

people under 26• Be persistent – it takes up to a year for approval

www.livingstonesa.org