Communication (Low Tech)

1. What are the different communication modes that we can use? How do we choose the most appropriate mode?What are the pros and cons of each?

2. Communication (Low Tech) • Communication board with pictures • Eye gaze frame • PECS- Picture Exchange Communication System • Gestures • Sign language

6. Communication—High Tech VOCA- Voice Output Communication Aids I. Scanning Devices Mini message mate scanning devicehttp://www.tecsol.com.au/MessMate.htm ) 2. Touch Talkers Talk back 16 (http://www.communicationaids.com/talkback16.htm ) Pathfinder and Vanguard (http://store.prentrom.com/cgi-bin/store/PF2-AEN.html Supertalker(http://www.ablenetinc.com/flash/supertalker.asp) BigMac (http://www.ablenetinc.com/cart/Browse.asp )

7. Don’t Forget Verbal Communication and Total Communication… Research indicates the Total Communication approach is more effective than any single mode. Augmentative modes can enhance verbal production.

9. Problems • Joanne is non-verbal and needs a way to communicate her needs to others. She is currently nodding and pointing. • Mabel is visually impaired and functions at an infant level. She does not have a way to indicate needs. • Melvin has autism and has a large vocabulary but does not use language in a functional way to communicate with others. He has echolalia. • What mode? Do both low and high tech solutions exist? What is might be an advantage to the high tech? What do you need to know about each student?

10. How to Select Technology • Functional Demands- What are important considerations for the environments the student functions in? • Student Perceptions- about A.T. • External Supports- $ $, available staff, staff expertise

11. How to Select Technology—Student Factors • Intellectual Abilities: Cognitive functioning and receptive language understanding • Physical Constraints: Movement restrictions and primitive reflexes • Sensory Issues: Vision and hearing capabilities

12. Why do many AT accommodations fail?

13. Where do you begin with communication training? 1. Something you want (Mands) 2. Social Exchange (Tacts)

15. If you had only 10 words, what would they be? List those words. How would the list be different for one of your students?

16. Choosing vocabulary • Signs and symbols need to be easily recognizable by others. • Iconic signs are easier. • Words have to be meaningful

17. Follow Guidelines of Typical Language Development • Communication starts with concrete objects and gestures not pictures. • The first words are things that are important to the student—not-- “Yes and No” • Address social aspects of communication—pragmatics begins early.

18. How do you teach language? • Massed trial training • Incidental teaching in natural context • Use “sabotage”

20. Direct selection of objects Pictures with objects Pictures with symbols Symbols with words Words How do we start teaching when we are using alternative communication modes?

21. How do you determine readiness for language? • The student must display communicative intent. • Stages: • Perlocutionary • Illocutionary • Locutionary

22. Perlocutionary • Stage: Doesn’t use communication in an intentional manner. • What to do---Work on developing simple gestures for needs—holding up a cup for drink. • Teach imitation.

24. Ilocutionary • Stage: Uses gestures and other non-verbal means to communicate. Can often imitate motor or verbal movements. • What to do: Work on teaching verbal language or other symbol system

25. Locutionary • Uses words or another symbol system • Work on increasing vocabulary, syntax, and pragmatics

26. How do we pre-empt language?

27. Computer Access • Intellikeys alternative keyboard • Touch screens • Simplified Interface with Voyager by AbleLink (www.ableLink.tech.com )