Readings and Reflection - February 2, 2013

What is augmentative and alternative communication?
I have to begin with this question.  I need to build my understanding from the ground up as this is all new to me. And so I began to research, read, review and reflect, all the while keeping in mind all our students in my school who need AAC devices.
What is it? Basically it it is any device, system or method that improves the ability of a student with communication challenges to communicate more effectively. It is used to augment communication. The purpose of using AAC is to increase the student's ability to communicate. I never thought of it but as I read I realized that communication occurs on a continuum. On one end is the  non-symbolic communication from like a cry or grunt to the other end the abstract, symbolic form of speech.

The process in choosing an AAC system for a student struck me similar to the process of creating an IPP.

•  You must know your student. 
• You have to look at the strengths and abilities. 
• You have to look at the communication challenges which will form your goals for the child. 
• You must look at the barriers preventing the student from fully communicating. 
• There must be a team approach which would include professionals, parents, early intervention staff, therapists, etc. in order to gather all information and include perspectives. 
• There must be constant reviewing, reflection, tweaking thought the process to ensure the system is suitable. 

I read of two approaches in identifying a student's communication needs: developmental and ecological. 

The developmental approach calls to identify what stage the child is currently functioning 

The ecological approach looks at the quality of the child's functioning in relation to their environment and activities they are expected to participate. This approach strives to embed developmental goals into activity based goals. 

The advantages of using this approach for determining or designing interventions are:

• Highly motivating as student are immersed in daily activities that are interesting and fun
• Can be integrated with peers rather than being segregated
• More likely to retain skills because the student is practicing in natural daily situations
• More frequent learning opportunities spread out over the day rather than in isolated less frequent skill and drill sessions. 

If Only God Could Hear Me

References:

Augmentative and Alternative Communication. 

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/AAC/

YAACK  http://aac.unl.edu/yaack/toc.html