AAC USER GROUP
Fiona Panthi and Karen Reed
East Kent Adult Communication and Assistive
Technology (ACAT) Service
13th November 2012
Welcome!
10am-11am
Welcome and introductions
11am-11.30am
Overview of AAC
11.30am-12.30pm
Stroke Association- Andrea Hall
12.30pm-1.30pm
Lunch
1.30pm-2.30pm
Activities: using your iPad
Families/Carers: how we can work together
2.30pm-3pm
Questions, discussion, close
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Introductions
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‘The name is Bond, James Bond’
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Language functions
• Social exchange, social etiquette,
closeness
• Attention, direction
• Requesting information
• Asking questions
• Transferring information: telling a story
• Negation
• Negotiation
• Communication repair
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What is AAC?
AAC = Augmentative and Alternative
Communication
•
AAC covers a huge range of techniques which support or replace spoken
communication.
•
Examples are: gesture, signing, symbol communication books and
communication aids e.g. iPads with communication APPs.
•
2 main types of AAC system: Unaided Communication and Aided
Communication.
•
Aided communication can involve Low-tech or High-tech methods.
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Why use AAC?
• Some people find communication difficult because they have little or
no speech
.
• Why might people might need AAC?
• AAC is another tool in your communication tool kit and can help
make communication more effective.
• It is natural to use different modes of communication.
• The ability to communicate through AAC can improve quality of life,
opportunities, education, social life, friendships and independence.
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Unaided Communication
•
Unaided Communication means being able to communicate without a piece
of additional equipment.
•
Can you think of a way you can communicate without a piece of
equipment?
•
Body language, gesture, pointing, facial expression, vocalisation. British Sign
Language (BSL), Makaton and Signalong are examples of Unaided Communication.
• ADVANTAGE OF UNAIDED COMMUNICATION:
 Users always have their communication tools- face, hands and body- with
them.
• DISADVANTAGE OF UNAIDED COMMUNICATION:
 Not everyone understands them.
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Pictures of unaided
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Aided Communication
•
Aided Communication refers to methods of communication which involve additional
equipment, such as a symbol/picture chart or book, a Voice Output
Communication Aid.
•
Low-tech AAC can include anything which does not need a battery to function. Lowtech systems include pictures and photographs, graphic symbols and text. We
recommend that people always have a low tech AAC back up if they are using
technology (high tech AAC).
•
High-tech AAC communication aids have voice output and dynamic screens – touch
a symbol and it can link to other symbols then speak the message.
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Examples of aided communication
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Accessing a Communication Aid
•
‘Access’ is the physical method used to make selections on an AAC system e.g.
directly touching the symbols with a finger.
•
Access is an important aspect of any AAC system whether high or low tech.
•
Access methods vary from person to person.
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Time needed to learn AAC
• How long does it take to learn to use a device?
•
The time needed to learn depends on the person, the system and the
support in place.
•
Learning to communicate using an AAC system is not always an easy task,
it can be a bit like trying to communicate in a foreign language! You need
lots of opportunities to practise and support from others.
•
Ongoing support and training for the person using the AAC and their family
and carers is very important.
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Talk to me!
Communication is a two way process!
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Andrea Hall: Communication Support Coordinator
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LUNCH!
• Please feel free to mingle with others!
• Ask questions!
• Editing/iPad support.
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Activity: Find It!
Orange
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Beer
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Sick
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Bored
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Activity: Your Turn
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Learning AAC
Foreign
language
Understanding
symbols
Pictures
Photographs
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Abstract
symbols
How to support AAC
• Create plenty of opportunities to use the
iPad in everyday conversations.
• Allow time for skills to develop.
• Don’t hide the AAC away.
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Any questions?
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Freedom to speak
“In this country we are justly proud of our freedom of
speech, that we can say what we want. But I think there is
an even more basic freedom of speech and that is the
freedom to speak”
Stephen Hawking, AAC user
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Please fill out the feedback forms as we value
your comments.
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