A.+Overview

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 * What is AAC- You tube Video Cincinnati Children's Hospital:**


 * Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)** Involves the use of multi-modal communication strategies (speech, low tech communication boards/books/wallets, signs/gestures/body language, medium/high-tech communication devices, and writing) to communicate.


 * Critical Assumptions:**
 * 1) Communication is a basic human right
 * 2) Communication extends beyond expressing basic needs and wants
 * 3) Communication has no prerequisites
 * 4) Using communication forms other than speech will not interfere with the development of spoken language
 * 5) Essential vocabulary of an augmented communicator consists of core, user specific vocabulary,content specific and extended/fringe
 * 6) AAC is an area of AT “that attempts to compensate (either temporarily or permanently) for the impairment and disability patterns of individuals with severe expressive communication disorders (i.e. the severely speech-language and writing impaired) ."- American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), 1989
 * 7) The ultimate goal of AAC is to “enable the augmented communicator to develop communication skills that are socially and linguistically appropriate to their abilities.”- United States Society for Alternative and Augmentative Communication (USSAAC), 2001

What's in a Name:

 * AAC- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
 * SGD- Speech Generating Device
 * CCN- Complete Communication Needs
 * VOCA- Voice Output Communication Aid
 * Low Tech- no batteries, no voice
 * Mid Tech- batteries, recorded voice
 * High Tech- rechargeable batteries, recorded and synthesized voice, spelling and word prediction


 * AAC Tools**

Low Tech AAC Tools
 * Paper based communication systems that utilize no electronics
 * Pictures, letters and words may be utilized and are often laminated for protection
 * Examples: Communication books, boards and wallets

Mid-tech AAC Tools
 * Electronic systems that utilize digitized (recorded) speech only
 * Can record 20 minutes to 3 hours of speech
 * Spelling to communicate novel utterances is not available
 * Alternative access options may be available
 * Examples: GoTalk, TechTalk, Springboard Lite

High-tech AAC Tools
 * Electronic systems that utilize digitized (recorded) and synthesized (computer based) speech
 * Pictures, words, phrases and letters may be used
 * Usually ship with a basic core vocabulary installed
 * Unlimited amount of vocabulary can be stored
 * Spelling and word prediction are available
 * Multiple alternative access options are available (direct access/touch, single and dual switch scanning, optical head pointing, mouse/joystick, eye gaze access, Morse code, etc.)
 * Environmental control options are incorporated into the device
 * Examples: Eco14, Vantage Lite, Max/VMax, C8/C12, LightWriter