Class 9: Augmentative and Assistive Commmunication

Clarissa and I teamed up to work on this week's task: understanding COMMUNICATION, and, more specifically, AUGMENTATIVE AND ASSISTIVE COMMUNICATION (AAC). Like the reading and writing process, communication is a complex process as well. It is at the heart of all we do.

Below, you will see some of our findings, taken from our whiteboard. 

There is a multitude of ways to communicate:

The three criteria for effective communication are:

1. join attention
2. communication partner
3. common language/message

Examples of AAC

• Software, such as Boardmaker and Write: OutLoud
  

• Devices, such as Tobii and Dynavox, for speech generation

• Switches
  

• iPad apps, such as Proloquo to Go and MyTalk
  
  
  
   

• Low-tech communication

Video of AAC

There is a delightful video, entitled "Lianna Bryant Speaks." This spirited 9-year-old has much to communicate,  using her Tobii, as you will see in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAvcquMd0vY