Augmentative and Alternative Communication in the Geriatric Population: A Review of Literature

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-46
Author(s):  
Christopher Crema
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Geriatric Population ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Communication Impairments ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract Speech-language pathologists working in the subacute rehabilitation setting often evaluate and treat patients with complex communication impairments. Many of these patients benefit from the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to facilitate expression of basic wants and needs. When it comes to implementing an AAC system into a care plan, there are a vast number of options available. A thorough evaluation is crucial when determining the most appropriate AAC system to use. These systems can range from gesturing, to a static overlay board, to a more complex, dynamic high tech device. Implementation of AAC systems has been proven to assist people with severe communication deficits that have been caused by a variety of medical conditions. Numerous studies have documented the efficacy of the use of AAC systems with individuals with traumatic brain injury, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and developmental disabilities. However, little has been documented regarding the use of AAC in the dementia, aphasia, and geriatric populations. This article will review the literature regarding the use of AAC with these populations.

AAC Considerations for Individuals With Angelman Syndrome

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 106-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen N. Calculator
Keyword(s):  
Angelman Syndrome ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Design And Implementation

Purpose To provide an overview of communication characteristics exhibited by individuals with Angelman Syndrome (AS) and special considerations associated with the design and implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) programs. Method Results of recent studies exploring individuals' uses of AAC are reviewed, with particular emphasis on factors related to individuals' acceptance and successful uses of AAC systems. Results Not applicable Conclusion Despite their inconsistent access to practices previously found to foster individuals' acceptance of AAC systems, individuals with AS demonstrate the ability to use AAC systems, including high-tech AAC devices, successfully.

“My World Has Expanded Even Though I'm Stuck at Home”: Experiences of Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Social Media

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 680-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Caron ◽  
Janice Light
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Modes ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

PurposeThis study aimed to expand the current understanding of how persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pALS) use augmentative and alternative communication and social media to address their communication needs.MethodAn online focus group was used to investigate the experiences of 9 pALS who use augmentative and alternative communication and social media. Questions posed to the group related to (a) current use of social media, (b) advantages of social media, (c) barriers to independent use, (d) supports to independent use, and (e) recommendations for developers, policy makers, and other pALS.ResultsParticipants primarily reported that use of social media was a beneficial tool that provided increased communication opportunities, connections to communication partners, and networks of support. Specific results are discussed with reference to the research as well as implications for practice and recommendations for future research.ConclusionsAs individuals with ALS experience loss of function, some communication modes may no longer be viable. Providing access to different modes of communication, including social media, can allow independence, participation and better quality of life.

scholarly journals Integrating Visual Methods With Dialogical Interviews in Research With Youth Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 160940691775094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail Teachman ◽  
Barbara E. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Visual Methods ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Integrated Methods ◽  
Combination Of Methods ◽  
Communication Impairments

Scant information is available to guide the selection and modification of methods for doing research with people with communication impairments. In this article, we describe and illustrate a novel combination of methods used to optimize data generation in research with 13 disabled youth who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Using a critical dialogical methodology developed for the study, we explored links between dominant calls for social inclusion, disabled youths’ social relations and life circumstances, and their position-takings in relation to inclusion. Building on emergent methodologies, we selected and integrated complementary methods: photo-elicitation, a graphic elicitation method termed “Belonging Circles,” observations, and interviews. The interview methods were modified to recognize all AAC modes used by participants and to acknowledge the relational, situated and thus, dialogical nature of all communication in interviews. Each method is described, and rationales for their selection and modification are discussed. Processes used to combine the methods, generate data, and guide analysis are illustrated using a case example from the study. The integrated methods helped illuminate the lives and practices of youth who use AAC and the strategies they used to negotiate inclusion across the social spaces that they traversed. We conclude with reflections on the strengths and limitations of our approach, future directions for development of the methodology, and its potential use in research with a broad range of persons experiencing communication impairments.

Guidelines for Teaching Speech-Language Pathologists About the AAC Assessment Process

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 82-86
Author(s):  
Iris Fishman
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Feature Matching ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Team Process ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Although students may not become augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) clinical specialists, they often will work with individuals demonstrating complex communication needs who benefit from AAC. This necessitates knowledge of some basic principles of assessment including AAC assessment as a team process involving planning and implementing interventions for current and future communication needs; the inclusion of no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech communication systems; and assessing communication needs with partners in the individual's social network. The assessment also must include a capability profile and feature matching to select the appropriate components of the AAC system. Because the system we provide for today will become the system we use tomorrow, assessment must be considered an ongoing process throughout the lifespan of the individual.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems for the Motor Disabled

2016 ◽  
pp. 680-727
Author(s):  
Alexandros Pino
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Source Model ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Motor Disabilities ◽  
Symbolic Communication ◽  
Motor Problems ◽  
Software Lifecycle

This chapter discusses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for individuals with motor disabilities. Motor disabilities do not only affect movement, but very often also affect speech. In these cases where voice is very weak, speech is unintelligible, or motor problems in the human speech production systems do not allow a person to speak, AAC is introduced. Aided and unaided communication is explained, and low and high tech AAC examples are illustrated. The ITHACA framework for building AAC applications is used as a paradigm in order to highlight the AAC software lifecycle. The same framework is also used to highlight AAC software design issues concerning component-based development (the open source model and the Design for All principles). Key features of an AAC application like virtual keyboards, scanning techniques, symbol dashboards, symbolic communication systems, message editors, symbol translation, word prediction, text to speech, and remote communication are presented. Finally, practical hints for choosing an AAC system are given and a case study of informally evaluating is cited.

scholarly journals Communication Support for People with ALS

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Beukelman ◽  
Susan Fager ◽  
Amy Nordness
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Motor Speech ◽  
Motor Speech Disorder ◽  
Speech Performance ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Almost all people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experience a motor speech disorder, such as dysarthria, as the disease progresses. At some point, 80 to of people with ALS are unable to meet their daily communication needs using natural speech. Unfortunately, once intelligibility begins to decrease, speech performance often deteriorates so rapidly that there is little time to implement an appropriate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention; therefore, appropriate timing of referral for AAC assessment and intervention continues to be a most important clinical decision-making issue. AAC acceptance and use have increased considerably during the past decade. Many people use AAC until within a few weeks of their deaths.

Ophapasai: Augmentative and Alternative Communication Based on Video-Oculography Control Interface

2016 ◽  
Vol 848 ◽  
pp. 60-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veerawan Janthanasub
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
User Performance ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Disabled People ◽  
Video Oculography ◽  
Evaluation Of Performance ◽  
Control Interface ◽  
The People ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Selection Of

This paper presents a system of assistive technology based on video-oculography (VOG) control interfaces, namely “Ophapasai”. The system designed specifically for disabled people communicate with the people that surround them. The primary method of this system consists of a selection of pictogram buttons within the circular menu-augment on the screen, which used an inexpensive video-oculography device. The results indicate that Ophapasai was used to support a number of communication functions (100%). Furthermore, we also conducted an evaluation of performance for pointing video-oculography device with three participants of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The evaluation used throughput of standards for computer pointing devices as measurement of user performance in a multi-direction point and select task which found, participants can pointing and selection their overall mean throughput was 2.02 bits/s.

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