AAC & SLP

I was chatting with an SLP today who was getting out fabric to set up a green screen. Remember how fun that was during the pandemic. SLPs in many programs talked about how students really engaged with the activity and were entertained. We know that learning is easier when we have fun. We knew this even before the pandemic required that we think way outside the box https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/19/03/playing-learn.

Adults even love the technology. People pay to sit in front of a green screen in Las Vegas to make a fun video. What green screen activities have you used in the classroom? How have students responded? Share out ideas and I will compile them into the next newsletter.

Do you feel stuck with a student on AAC? Over the next few weeks I will provide some resources to help us think about goals in a big picture type of way. Let's start with research from Janice Light (1989) In this paper she introduces the idea of competencies which are necessary to becoming a better AAC Communicator.

These four competencies are: Operational, Linguistic, Social, and Strategic

Operational Competence is a skill which will constantly be evolving. It means not only that the user learn how to care for the device (charging, cleaning, carrying, adjusting the sound, updating the software) but also that they become as proficient at their access method as they can be. Whether it be eye gaze, scanning, or selecting with a finger gaining accuracy and speed is to the users advantage. Think about when you learned to type, if you had a base level of instruction you would still be really slow. Though once you have been typing for...let's say 30 years, you are going to be a faster and more accurate typist.

Linguistic Competence refers to the fact that AAC is its own language. This means a student needs to not only understand their native language (which is spoken by those around them) but to also connect this to the "language" of their AAC device. This involves skills such as categorization, understanding parts of speech, sequencing and more.

Social Competence "skills include an understanding of the following: discourse strategies (e.g., initiating, maintaining, and terminating interactions, turn taking, cohesion and coherence of conversation); interaction functions (e.g., expression of needs and wants, social closeness, information transfer); and specific communicative functions (e.g., requests for information, protest, self expression). All of these skills are context dependent (dependent on partner, setting, and task demands) and are typically evaluated in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness." This is similar to skills we already explicitly teach, though similarly to the linguistic competence we want to help students express in this "second language."

Strategic Competence is an important area which we don't often think of. This skill can be used to teach AAC as well as to help an AAC user speed up. We often work towards teaching language though in communication situations we may need to speed up, use telegraphic speech. If we don't have a word on the tip of our tongue we may circumlocute - try to describe, engage a partner in "guessing" what you are trying to say (as a sleep deprived working mama...I've used this with my verbal language a lot lately!)

How can these competencies integrate with your AAC goals for individuals and for your classrooms?

• Ashley Larisey - (Currently not accepting new clients, will update when this changes). Larisey Speech Services SLP specializing in AAC. In home therapy.
• Megan Brazas - SLPathways, SLP and OT treatment available for a variety of types of therapy, including AAC.

• Beth Christensen - AAC Helper SLP specializing in AAC, ATP - Assistive Technology Specialist, in home therapy.

• Heidi Rabe, - Authentic Expressions Located in Northern Cook County, though able to do remote sessions.

• Jill Senner - Technology & Language Center, Inc. Center based therapy in Oak Park, online currently.

• Mike Cole - Use Your Words In home therapy, further west, may not be accessible for some.

• Schotzi Halley - Halley Speech Therapy Located in Chicago, provide home visits as well as teletherapy.

• Saint Xavier University - Ludden Speech Clinic University graduate student speech Clinic at Saint Xavier University

• Midwestern University - Midwestern Institute University graduate student speech Clinic at Midwestern University

• Elmhurst College - Speech-Langauge Hearing Clinic University graduate student speech Clinic at Elmhurst College

• University of Illinois (Chicago) - UIC ATU UIC's Assistive Technology Unit has a mobile unit which can assist with home adaptations and more.
• Shirley Ryan Ability Lap Day Rehab Center - Homewood, 19260 S Halsted Street (708) 957-8326
  
• Marianjoy Rehab (I am seeking more information, though they were running a remote PODD group last fall which sounds VERY interesting! Anyone with current info, please pass along and I will share.

Company Reps - If a student owns/uses a dedicated device, part of the cost of that device is support from the area company representative. They can help with everything from troubleshooting, repairs, to learning/coaching.

PRC-Saltillo (Formally merged as one company)

• PRC - Jennifer Vallier - Jennifer.Vallier@prentrom.com
• Saltillo - Michelle Retzlaff - Michelle@saltillo.com

Tobii-Dynavox

• (temp) Rachel Tarbell - Rachel.Tarbell@tobiidynavox.com

Assistive Technology Coordinator

Email: sbass@swcccase.org
Website: https://www.swcccase.org/Page/2532
Phone: 708.571.2127