Augmentative Communication ch 9 of Assistive Technology in the Classroom

Selecting and designing a student's augmentative communication system

thoughts from Michael Williams: he uses whatever is most convenient for a given situation, however prefers email as communication to avoid what he calls his "annoying visual distractions" and level the playing field
aug comm must provide basic features of traditional communication for user
1)ability to construct a message using symbols
2)to deliver that message to another person
3)the ability to respond to the receiver in a timely manner
Considerations
-it is now believed that anyone with speech difficulties is a candidate to achieve enhanced communication abilities through aug comm
-collaborative team of student, parents, and professionals (Sped, slp)should be involved tin the decision to be sure of the appropriate nature of choices made
-issues to consider during decision making time/assessment:(p.220)
developmental status
communication status
attributes of the envrmt
communication needs
aug comm solutions
effectiveness of the aug comm solution
Decisions on symbol system
what symbols to represent vocabulary? what extend can student access symbolic language?
symbol: something that stands for something else, pics verses letters verses words, sentences
photos representations are transparent: meaning is clear
written words are opaque: people who read can understand
symbol sets are translucent: some obvious, others vague
what vocabulary? What words would the student most likely want to need and want to express
empower the individual with the vocabulary, use kid talk and phrases that are in
be sure to have: a greeting, commentary on common activities, specific people important to the student, favorite activities and objects, feelings, way to protest or say no
to determine appropriate vocab, conduct interviews with family, peers, observation, analyze challenging behavior
how will the student access the vocab? parameters and methods
think of the efficiency in communicating, arrange the symbols to maximize the rate of communication