AAC Devices for Children
The purpose of an AAC device in the school setting is to allow the child to express themselves without needing to verbalize, if unable to. Some conditions that would benefit from an AAC device include: Intellectual disabilities, Autism, mute disorders, brain injuries (shaken baby syndrome), cerebral palsy, and other injuries/disabilities that cause emotional or communication issues (Felton, 2022).
My Low Tech option is called an emotion board which is for
children who have difficulty expressing their emotions, this emotion board is a
way for students to show teachers how they are feeling so teachers know how to
properly handle the situation. For example if a child is upset but it is
because he/she is hungry, they point to the upset and hungry emotion (ASHA,
2023). This can be used outside the classroom as well, an example with recess
is when the teacher sees a kid sitting by themselves and ask why, the child can
show them how they are feeling and the teacher can figure out a solution with
the child.
(Living well with autism, n.d)Media: https://youtu.be/7MF4l92ihds
My Medium Tech option includes the GoTalk which can be
programmed with a limited set of words and phrases that a child would be using
the most in the classroom setting. Some words or phrases include: “yes”, “no”, “here”,
“hello”, “my turn”, “your turn”, “more” for more snack or food, and emotional
buttons to express their feelings towards a lesson or activity and more. This
is important for students who need the help but are also independent in their
activities to where teachers do not need to be standing by them or are unable
to depending on other needs of students (Communication Committee, 2020).
(LATAN, 2021)Media: https://youtu.be/kiqHbesGTks
My High Tech option includes a speech generating device on an ipad or tablet to speak between some words to full sentences. This device is used more towards children with more severe conditions and can be used with visual tracking, button press, and guided structure where a child picks one category which leads to options within that category i.e the game category leads to different games, the emotion category leads to different emotions and the location category shows different location selections to keep the conversation going. This is important for those with musculoskeletal disabilities or severe intellectual disability or autism. This can be used in a school setting for kids to answer questions and talk to peers (ASHA, 2023); (United Brain, 2023).
Media: https://youtu.be/BPo1H1eMU9k
References:
ASHA. (2023). Augmentative and alternative communication
(AAC). Retrieved from: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/AAc/
City News. (2018). Non-verbal children living with autism
learning to communicate with electronic devices.
Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/BPo1H1eMU9k
Communication Committee. (2020). What is mid tech and high
tech AAC? Retrieved from: https://www.communicationcommunity.com/aacfileshightech/
Dynavox, T. (n.d). Speech generating devices. Retrieved on: 2023, March 12. Retrieved from: https://www.pinterest.com/tobii_dynavox/speech-generating-devices/
Felton, A. (2022, October 3). AAC: Augmentative and
alternative communication for autism. Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/aac-augmentative-and-alternative- communication-for- autism#:~:text=AAC%20benefits%20people%20who%20have%20cerebral%20palsy%2C%20intell ectual,communication%20can%20include%20both%20aided%20and%20unaided%20communic ation.
LATAN Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network. (2021).
GoTalk 20+ - Assistive device video demonstration.
Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/kiqHbesGTks
Living well with autism. (n.d). Pragmatic language. Retrieved on: 2023, March 12. Retrieved from: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/22518066864713666/
Priceless Parenting. (2020). Feeling chart for kids.
Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/7MF4l92ihds
Talk to me technologies. (2023). Zuvo 10-D AAC device. Retrieved from: https://www.talktometechnologies.com/pages/zuvo10
United Brain Association. (2023). Autism and assistive
technology. Retrieved from: https://unitedbrainassociation.org/2019/02/22/autism-assistive- technology/#:~:text=Speech%20Generating%20Devices%20High-tech%20speech- generating%20devices%20%28SGDs%29%20use,image%20on%20a%20tablet%20or%20comput er%20touch%20screen.
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