Using technology for communication Marion Stanton candleaac

Using technology for communication Marion Stanton www.candleaac.com

History of AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Early high tech communication aid (1970’s) and recent one (2013)

History of AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Early low tech communication aid (1970’s) and recent one (2013)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmentative and alternativ e communication The use of manual alphabets and signs was recorded in Europe from the 16th century, as was the gestural system of Hand Talk used by Native Americans to facilitate communication between different linguistic groups.

AAC use after the 1st World War. By 1920, Dix was associated with the Berlin Dadaists. In the summer of that year, he exhibited this painting, the War Cripples, there. Unlike many works on display, this one avoided official controversy although it clearly blamed the military for butchering a generation.

Accessible Text There are many ways to make text accessible. We quite often think that enlarging it is the most important way to do this. However, for some people use of pictures and symbols is more important. Learning to read is really important if at all possible.

There are many ways to make text accessible. We quite often think that enlarging it is the most important way to do this. However, for some people use of pictures and symbols is more important. Learning to read is really important if at all possible.

There are many ways to make text accessible. We quite often think that enlarging it is the most important way to do this. However, for some people use of pictures and symbols is more important. Learning to read is really important if at all possible.

Accessible Text There are many ways to make text accessible. We quite often think that enlarging it is the most important way to do this. However, for some people use of pictures and symbols is more important. Learning to read is really important if at all possible.

There are many ways to make text accessible. We quite often think that enlarging it is the most important way to do this. However, for some people use of pictures and symbols is more important. Learning to read is really important if at all possible.

For some people the real picture helps but only for very concrete concepts. Many people Think Enlarge

Voice Output Voice output can work in a number of ways but if you can understand language this is the most effective way of differentiating materials. Text to speech It speaks as I type can have symbol support. Many AAC system do this. Tortuous on the iPad! Better on PC devices I think! Readers Read books, documents, pdf’s, websites and other media. Very good on the iPad. Read Write Gold is great for making MP files out of text. Speech to text . Able to pick up your speech so that you don’t need to write and turns your speech into text. Dragon Dictate is an example. Pre-recorded systems cheaper but a little restricted.

What is Communication? Speaking message across Hearing listening understanding getting people involved Eye contact body language look at people face them Two way respect phone text pictures objects feelings talking technology experience competence picture with cards confidence Marion Stanton www.contactcandle.co.uk

What is communication? Expressive: These are the things that we say, write or express in other ways (for example non verbally) to get our message across to other people. Receptive: These are the things we understand when people speak to us, write to us or otherwise communicate information to us. Marion Stanton www.contactcandle.co.uk

What is AAC for speech support? Alternative and Augmentative Communication. Alternative is instead of speech. Examples include voice output communication aids that “speak” for the communicator. Augmentative is added on to speech. Examples include using sign and/or a verbal YES/NO in conjunction with pointing to a symbol on a board. Marion Stanton www.contactcandle.co.uk

Communication Strategies Speech may be replaced by UNAIDED SYSTEMS such as: GESTURE/BODY LANGUAGE including choice making from a range of options or using a YES/NO response. MANUAL SIGNING including British Sign Language, Signed English, Makaton, Signalong, Paget Gorman. Marion Stanton www.contactcandle.co.uk

Examples of Low tech aids: Candle wooden board with built in key guard. Indexed boards that can be accessed directly or low tech scanned. Communication board to use in school. Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Marion Stanton www.contactcandle.co.uk

Talking Mats – Decision Making Tool http://www.talkingmats.com/ Talking Mats is an interactive resource that uses three sets of picture communication symbols – topics, options and a visual scale – and a space on which to display them. This can either be a physical, textured mat, or a digital space, for example a tablet, smart board or computer screen for which we have created one of the best apps for communication disability. Topics: whatever you want to talk about, e.g., pictures symbolising ‘what do you want to do during the day’, ‘where you want to live’, ‘who do you want to spend time with’, etc. Options: relating specifically to each topic. For example: ‘What do you feel about going for a walk? Or living at home?’ Top Scale: this allows participants to indicate their general feelings about each topic and option. The meaning of the visual top scale can be adapted to suit the questions you are asking the person, for example, whether they are happy, unsure, or unhappy. Once the topic is chosen e.g., ‘activities’ or ‘people’, the participant is given the options one at a time and asked to think about what they feel about each one. They can then place the symbol under the appropriate visual scale symbol to indicate what they feel.

Now an app of course!

Light or Medium Tech systems These are communication aids with voice output that have a limited application. They are usually digitised (programmed by voice recording). 4 talk 4 – 4 levels Lib 4Talk Inline, also 4 talk square and EXAMPLES: Lib talk 8 1X4 Twin talker Italk2 Step communicator Talking photo album Single utterance Lib lap top, 1,2,4,8,16. 7 levels. Go talk 20. Also 4 & 9. Marion Stanton www.contactcandle.co.uk Super talker, 1,2,4,8. 8 levels.

High Tech Communication Aids – Mainly PC based. http://www.liberator.co.uk/ecopoint.html

http://www.liberator.co.uk/eco2.html minspeak

http://www.smartboxat.com/products/communicat ion-aids /

http://www.techcess.co.uk/

High Tech Communication aids with “associated” use It could be argued that what some see as “associated” use are actually central to communication. A lot depends on the definition of communication. EXAMPLES: Marion Stanton www.contactcandle.co.uk

http://www.widgit.com/

Word prediction http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/word-predictio n-software-comparison-chart /

Text Readers http://www.howtogeek.com/125305/the-best-text-to-speech-tts-soft ware-programs-and-online-tools / http://donjohnston.com/snap-read/#.U8TaS ldVT4

What can the iPad offer? Quick and cheap voice output. Some hierarchically organised communication apps. A number of excellent and reasonably prices schedules, social stories and routine supports. Many learning apps. A minefield to navigate!

Looking for Apps: http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/iphoneipad-apps-for-aac/ http://www.janefarrall.com/ http://www.sc.edu/scatp/expo/expo12handouts/Apps%20for%20Co mmunication.pdf http://www.matchacollege.com/blog/2011/40-amazing-ipad-apps-for -the-learning-disabled/ http://www.appsforaac.net/ http://www.matchacollege.com/blog/2011/40-amazing-ipad-apps-for -the-learning-disabled/

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