AAC Device Trial
DAGENHAM PARK C OF E SCHOOL
PROLOQUO2GO
Jayne Kinghorn, Speech and Language Coordinator
3rd June 2014
“Practise Makes Perfect…....”
Peer reactions
Trial 1
x4 weeks
Preparation
• Teacher comments of student communication preferences
Break time opportunities for data collection
• Functional targets for student aims and outcomes prepared by SLT/School
• Separate training sessions provided for Special Support Assistants and
teachers – x1 hour
• Monday Morning School Briefing - Use of existing lines of communication
• Tick box sheet for SSA’s to record student usage of IPod
• Final Report with data
Student
voice
• Teacher comments of student communication preferences
Some Teacher Comments Received
Trial 1
1
Art Teacher
Julia does not spontaneously begin conversations with me however she does
on occasions communicate with others on her table.
2
Drama Teacher Julia rarely begins a conversation with me she often speaks to 2 girls. She will use
gestures to be understood but isn’t keen on using her white board for communication.
3
English SEN
Teacher
4
PE Teacher
5
DT Teacher
Julia contributes and is eager to participate and will communicate. She also seems
to express her frustrations with communication much more. (than in maths)
Julia will gesture at me about how she feels with thumbs.
Julia sits with Kaitlyn….. I find it very difficult to always understand her (Julia)
but Kaitlyn usually helps me out.
Week
Lessons
1
Date …………………
Target
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
A
B
C
2
D
E
A
B
C
3
D
E
A
B
C
4
D
E
A
B
C
Student Targets for Trial
5
D
E
A
B
C
D
E
A. Volunteer an answer/question or
statement
B. Start a conversation using the
device
C. Device used listener to meet
listener’s need
D. Device used in discussion with
peer
E. Device used in discussion with
adult
= Number of Times Device Used in Lessons over x4 Weeks
A
B
C
D
E
Outcomes
More time for the trial
Creative sabotage
Role play activities to be used in second trial
Record times AAC is used when there is a break down in communication
In the event of Julia being supplied with a device who will be responsible for loading key words
on with symbols and keeping the device charged?
Trial 2
AAC Use Frequency Chart
TIMES AAC USED IN LESSONS
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1
2
3
Week 1
4
5
6
7
8
Week 2
9
10
11
12
13
14
Week 3
15
16
17
18
Week 4
19
20
21
22
23
Week 5
24
25
26
27
28
Week 6
29
30
31
32
33
34
Week 7
1
Volunteer an answer or question or statement
Device used when message is not understood by listener
Device used in discussion with an adult
Start a conversation using the device
Device used in discussion with a friend
35
36
37
38
Week 8
39
40
41
Dagenham Park C of E School
Pupil Voice Interview
Julia Markowska 4th April 2014
Student Views Using ACC Device
1) What do you like most about the AAC device?
“Text to speak, I like, sometimes when I’m writing I don’t know how to spell so I use it.” (IPod)
2) Using the usefulness line as a guide how useful has the AAC device been to you in lessons?
0
1
Not useful at all
2
3
4
5
Useful sometimes
6
7
8
9
10
very useful all the time
3) When is it most useful for you to use the IPod?
“It is when I’m talking to my friends and at break times. Teachers don’t always tell me to use the
IPod and they don’t say when they don’t understand me, I can tell, then I use my IPod. It is better if
they say they don’t understand. I have got used to using it.”
4) Would it be helpful to you if the school bought you an AAC device and would you want an
AAC if you were offered one?
“Yes”
5) What else do you like about the IPod?
“It is nice, I can talk quickly and say long words”
Appropriate Use
Making the most of
the AAC Device
Lessons Learned
RECORD KEEPING
Keep it simple but thorough
KEEPING LONG TERM GOALS IN FOCUS
What were we aiming for?
Take time to set the trial up properly
Make sure key people are in the know
Have clear lines of roles and responsibility to
ensure accurate data
Remember not everyone will share your
enthusiasm to get involved – be creative
There’s a lot of donkey work involved
Where do we go from here?
What about funding?
What about post 16 and transition to college?