context based communication for aac users
TRANSCRIPT
Context Based
Communication
Using High Tech Solutions to Cue Communication
Vicki Clarke & Elisabeth Dolloff
Dynamic Therapy Associates, Inc.
GATE 2015, Atlanta, GA
Handout Link:
http://bit.ly/1TxfjL8
What Is Context Based Communication?
Messages that pertain specifically to a particular
context (environment)
Presented in a grid format or in a visual scene display
With less emphasis on pairing words creatively and
more emphasis on single button/area message selection
Which are highly individualized to the AAC user’s
world
Message Characteristics
Occur regularly
Have high social value
Motivating
Meet a significant communication need
Purpose of Context Based
Communication
Improve independent navigation
Support sustained social interactions
Simplify social messaging by highlighting
contextually relevant messages
Allow communication to meet individual’s
identified needs
Increase participation in the AAC user’s
natural environment
Increase rate of learning for new messages.
Common Concerns Regarding Use
Context Based Communication
• Lack of consistent location of messages
• Need for extensive modifications
• Doesn’t enhance language development
• Limits spontaneous novel utterance generation
How to Manage Primary Concerns
• LACK OF CORE VOCABULARY AND GENERATIVE LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION:
• Access to core vocabulary and instruction, taught in conjunction with context based messaging options
• LACK OF CONSISTENT PLACEMENT OF WORDS
• Use the placement of the word in the patient’s core vocabulary pages to drive the location of semantically similar messages in subsequent context-based pages
• EXTENSIVE MODIFICATION NEEDS:
• Use of systematic collection of messaging needs in environments
• Train family or primary care providers to make basic modifications in real time as needed.
Increase Rate of Learning
• Narrow field of potential messages
to those that are most likely to be
needed in an environment
• Messages are contextually relevant,
familiar and significant
• Symbols can be more concrete and
immediately recognizable
Case Studies: Anne
• Difficulty with comprehension of
abstract symbols
• Appears to be not motivated by
social interaction
• Social interaction is challenging
• Uses language primarily to request
objects
Simplify Navigation
• Conceptually easy to
locate photograph to
match environment for
navigation.
• 1-2 step link to
environmentally relevant
messages
• Decrease demand for
comprehension of
symbol association or
categorization
Case Studies: Nicholas and Harrison
• Difficulty with comprehension of
abstract symbols
• Difficulty with categorization
• Socially motivated
Increase Rate of Interaction
Increase rate of
communication of routine
phrases
less navigation
less activation of buttons
less segmented messages
Decrease attention demand
in distractible environments
Case Studies: Kasey & Robert
Kasey:
• Decreased rate of
communication secondary to
motor difficulties
• Social motivation is limited by
the effort necessary to interact
• Working to increase
independence in the community
Increase Rate of Interaction: Robert
• Social anxiety
• Difficulty with delayed
gratification
• Anxiety with functional
demands
• Strong motivation to
communicate and
participate
Introduction to Novel Environments
• Prepare AAC user through
images and sequences of
upcoming events
• Allow for discussion of
events prior to occurrence
• Allow for review of event
after the activity.
• Give AAC user an element
of control in stressful
environment with minimal
access demands
Novel Environments: Chad
• Difficulty interacting in unfamiliar
environments
• Multiple, on-going medical
concerns
• History of self-abusive and
aggressive behaviors
• History of property destruction
AAC Vocabulary Organization Decision Tree:Considerations for Initial Setup and Components
Social Messages
Core Vocabulary
Categories
Context/Visual Scenes
Functional Messaging
Case Study: Mason
• 6 years old
• Severe Apraxia of speech
• Receptive language within normal limits
• Expressively at a single word level
• Emerging ability to creatively combine 2 words
• Just learning to navigate and functionally use his new device
• Uses Unity 45 Sequenced
• Has social messages preprogrammed into the Activity Row
Planning for Context Based Messaging
Selection of display type (visual scene or
grid display)
Visual processing skills
Physical access method (yes you can use scanning!)
Symbol comprehension
Capabilities of current or proposed system
AAC Devices that Support Context Based
Communication
NovaChat
Accent Series
Tobii Dynavox Compass
Tobii Dynavox
Communicator: SonoPrimo