What Is AAC?
Although it is not the intention of this section of the website to deal with aspects of AAC other than those which are primarily associated with implementation, a brief discussion of the nature of AAC is important. Issues such as the purpose of AAC may be raised, and its importance be stressed. The staff should be encouraged to commit to the importance of AAC across the curriculum. They should understand the manner in which it is implemented is extremely important.
AAC 2 - Task and Discussion Sheet
Give the full version of AAC. Uncover the tasks. Allow the staff time (15 - 20 minutes is reasonable) to complete the tasks given. Use these notes to work through the discussion topics offered.
AAC 3 - AAC Definition
The Cartoon gives a different meaning of AAC! It is this attitude that we are striving to overcome. The Vanderheiden and Yoder (VANDERHEIDEN G. & YODER D. 1986) definitions of augmentative and alternative are given at the foot of the sheet.
I believe that AAC should not be seen as the final goal to which we aspire after travelling a carefully mapped out road but as a stepping stone to other and greater things. AAC is not the heart or the liver nor is it normally the blood that feeds the body but rather a synthesised, symbolic blood boosting and supporting an otherwise deficient bloodstream. It moves, flows, and pervades all other parts of the body. Without it the individual has to rely on blood that is somehow less effective than his or her peers. In some individuals it is almost life-threatening in others barely noticeable. In some individuals the lack of blood inhibits the development of the brain. Mirenda has another analogy; she sees AAC as the grout in a mosaic of tiles:
"... I am talking about AAC as part of the grout here, not as one of the tiles. AAC - and communication in general - is a means
to an end; it is not the end in itself." (MIRENDA P. 1993)
While a subject area may be labelled AAC with its own team of specialists and its own spot on the timetable, it should not be seen by those working with it as something isolated, separate and disparate from the rest of the curriculum but rather as a necessary and important part of the whole. It can only work when others are involved, when staff and students work together in unison, when others begin to realise its relevance to their aspect of the curriculum and welcome the help and support that the team primarily tasked with working with AAC can provide.
I believe that AAC should not be seen as the final goal to which we aspire after travelling a carefully mapped out road but as a stepping stone to other and greater things. AAC is not the heart or the liver nor is it normally the blood that feeds the body but rather a synthesised, symbolic blood boosting and supporting an otherwise deficient bloodstream. It moves, flows, and pervades all other parts of the body. Without it the individual has to rely on blood that is somehow less effective than his or her peers. In some individuals it is almost life-threatening in others barely noticeable. In some individuals the lack of blood inhibits the development of the brain. Mirenda has another analogy; she sees AAC as the grout in a mosaic of tiles:
"... I am talking about AAC as part of the grout here, not as one of the tiles. AAC - and communication in general - is a means
to an end; it is not the end in itself." (MIRENDA P. 1993)
While a subject area may be labelled AAC with its own team of specialists and its own spot on the timetable, it should not be seen by those working with it as something isolated, separate and disparate from the rest of the curriculum but rather as a necessary and important part of the whole. It can only work when others are involved, when staff and students work together in unison, when others begin to realise its relevance to their aspect of the curriculum and welcome the help and support that the team primarily tasked with working with AAC can provide.
AAC 4 - A blow for AAC rights!
The cartoon shows that people already use a variety of alternatives to oral communication to make a point. The staff may be encouraged to list as many as they can think of. Think of particular people who use an AAC system and their existing forms of communication skills.
It is extremely rare to find a person without any of these unaided forms of communication. However, they are insufficient to allow a person to cope adequately with full integration into an oral society. Additional augmentative systems are necessary. Many people have both a high technology voice output communication aid (VOCA) and a low technology symbol or word board. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having both systems? You may wish to do a PICK analysis at this point,
Pros Interesting Cons Knowledge
where the information and ideas given by the staff can be ascribed to one of the four areas. It supports (advantage - Pro), it does not support (disadvantage - Con), not sure but interesting comment nevertheless (Interesting), it=s a factual piece of information about an aspect of the discussion (Knowledge). It is hoped that the results of this endeavour will enable you to see clearly that both a high and low or no tech system working in tandem have much to offer anyone with a severe communication impairment.
"Using different systems simultaneously would, in these circumstances, ensure the user has a number of AAC systems to
rely on if one should be abandoned." (SMITH-LEWIS M. 1994)
It is extremely rare to find a person without any of these unaided forms of communication. However, they are insufficient to allow a person to cope adequately with full integration into an oral society. Additional augmentative systems are necessary. Many people have both a high technology voice output communication aid (VOCA) and a low technology symbol or word board. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having both systems? You may wish to do a PICK analysis at this point,
Pros Interesting Cons Knowledge
where the information and ideas given by the staff can be ascribed to one of the four areas. It supports (advantage - Pro), it does not support (disadvantage - Con), not sure but interesting comment nevertheless (Interesting), it=s a factual piece of information about an aspect of the discussion (Knowledge). It is hoped that the results of this endeavour will enable you to see clearly that both a high and low or no tech system working in tandem have much to offer anyone with a severe communication impairment.
"Using different systems simultaneously would, in these circumstances, ensure the user has a number of AAC systems to
rely on if one should be abandoned." (SMITH-LEWIS M. 1994)