Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
What is it?
AAC is an alternative way to communicate to replace or work alongside spoken language. ranging from low tech symbols, picture boards to high tech devices and apps.
Who can it support?
Individuals with speech and language or cognitive impairment. It is such an important tool that can enhance a person’s experience of their world by giving them a voice. It is suitable for all ages and abilities and can be personalized.
LOW TECH - P.E.C.S (Picture exchange communication system) - Books - Communication boards - Social stories - All about me journals - Photos
HIGH TECH - Devices that you can download an app on such as Proloque2Go (Please see below) - Computerised systems that produce speech or can be controlled by eye gaze or switches that can be recorded on and worked by pressing them to repeat back what is on them.
UNAIDED - Body movements - Gestures - Facial expressions - Eye movement - Makaton signing
Types of AAC
How important is AAC for the user?
I personally think it is a lifeline and it certainly was for Connor. For someone who struggles with their speech and cannot express how they feel it must be extremely frustrating and can be somewhat isolating. Most individuals who are speech impaired or non-verbal understand more than most give them credit for and know what they want and what they want to say.
AAC gives people their fundamental human right to make choices, to join in conversations, to get their needs met and to basically be seen and heard. The use of AAC increases independence, improves mental health, and promotes richer social interactions. It also is excellent for educational purposes and helps people in an educational setting, as well as at home.
Summary
AAC is crucial and about self-advocacy, it should be available to all that needs it. It is a fundamental right that all humans have a way to communicate so they can feel connected and included in interactions with others. It takes away the possibility of being misunderstood, feeling isolated or others taking advantage or making decisions on behalf of an individual with a speech impairment.
Connor’s Voice aims to raise funds through our Donate page to provide AAC equipment and devices to those who may need it. Connor’s iPad and the Proloquo2Go app was donated to us when he was around 16 years of age and it was a life changer for him and now, I wish all that needs their voice to be heard to have that available to them.
Please see an example of excellent and effective communication with Charlie and his carers, Ella and AJ
Ella and I have been working with Charlie for many years, both in youth group, PA and respite caring positions. Over the years we have used many different communication tools and techniques with Charlie to varying levels of success! Charlie struggles to process verbal information and needs to know what is happening (both short and long term) and why. Symbols are used commonly in special schools and Charlie is very familiar with them. We use them in a variety of ways, including making a timetable, PECs-like exchanging, to support general communication and to create social stories.
This social story was sent to Charlie after his monkey (Pippa) was accidentally left behind at our house. Charlie was worried about when he would get Pippa back, so we sent a story with some of the fun things Pippa had been up to. This helped Charlie as he knew where Pippa was and it made it into a fun situation rather than an anxiety inducing incident. Pippa was returned a few days later but Charlie now likes to read the story about Pippa’s sleep over at Ella and AJ’s house!
Proloquo2go
When Connor got his iPad with the Proloquo2Go app on it, it was a game changer. It allowed Connor to make choices and to communicate his basic needs. It also enabled me to understand Connor so much more and to realise that just because he could not use words did not mean he did not have a voice. At the time I could not afford an apple iPad along with the app so with the help of Grove Park school in Crowborough they fundraised for this for Connor.
The Proloquo2Go app acts as an alternative communication tool for individuals who have difficulty speaking. It provides a voice through a verity of customised features, including natural sounding voices, male and female. It is available for IOS devices, including iPhone, iPad and apple watch. Having an alternative way to communicate your wants and needs when you cannot use words is extremely powerful and in my opinion based on my experience, it can change someone’s experience of their life and environment. Imagine not having any way of communicating but in your mind you are quite capable and just want to be able to get your point across or tell people how you are feeling or what you wish to do or see. There are so many people that have communication difficulties and have no way of expressing themselves other than through behaviours. I strongly believe that Connor’s behaviours of frustration and anger were lessened tremendously because he was able to communicate through his iPad.
Connor was able to make choices of what activities he wanted to do, who he wanted to see and where he wanted to go. He was using the very basic tool on the app but it can be built up so sentences can be put together as though you were speaking the words yourself. This communication aid is not to replace speech and does not stop someone from developing speech if they are able to. It has in fact aided people to begin speaking. Connor never developed speech but with the Proloquo2Go app he certainly could get across his basic needs and wants along with his clever ways of using non-verbal cues. It was a life changer for Connor. The picture on the left was Connor choosing a foot spa, what a lovely thing to choose.
