When the world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication starts to enter the picture, you are sure to have a MILLION questions. Let's talk about some of the most common ones we hear at the very beginning.
Is AAC right for my child?
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The answer is that an AAC Evaluation is a good idea. The evaluation will look at all of the factors to determine if AAC is the right choice, and which system best matches your child’s access method and language level. This should be done by a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) who specializes in AAC. This could be an expert at a children’s hospital, a therapy agency or at your child’s school.
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Are they ready for AAC?
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Spoiler alert: If they don't have access to a robust language system, they are ready!
Check out this video to hear more! |
Will getting a device hinder speech development?
The short answer is “no!” and even more often, we see that it helps improve development of speech. But don't just take my word for it. Here is an article on this topic, with additional research articles and resources.
Will a device stunt language growth?
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No. I think of it like a hose. You can only fill up a hose with so much water before no new water can come in unless the water has a way to flow out. So when your child begins to flow out their ideas through any means – verbal speech, American Sign Language (ASL) or AAC- their receptive and expressive language skills grow because there is room in the hose for fresh water.
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The best system for your child is the one that "matches" your child.
1. You child has to be able to access the device. If they need eye gaze to access the device, then you must choose a device with that capability. If they need switches, then systems with switch access should be trialed. If vision is an issue and the icons cannot be made bigger, that system is not a match. Access trumps language. If they can't access the language, then the language system doesn't matter. That is why this is the first and most important step.
2. There are the different ways the language is organized. There are predictive systems (TouchChat, NovaChat, Word Power), Semantic Compaction (Unity), Category based (Proloquo2go), text based (Proloquo4text, Predictable) and those with consistent motor plans (LAMP), although most systems result in the child developing motor memory to navigate to a word or phrase. There are letter by letter, word by word, and phrase by phrases set ups. To be honest, most evaluators recommend systems they are most familiar with. There are photo based, icon based (Symbol Stix, Boardmaker, Lesson Pix, etc) and text only. Within the field, there are heated debates on this very question: Which one is best? So let me explain it in this way...there are Mac people and there are Windows people. Which one is better? Probably the one you use the most. The reality is that neither is better than the other. One layout just matches your brain better. You can learn either platform, but one will probably take you longer than the other. So, there is no "best" AAC system. The tribalism around Mac vs Windows or Word Power vs Unity isn't serving our community. Matching the child's access system and the way the child thinks about language is the job of the evaluator. That is why it is important that your child is evaluated by someone who knows a variety of systems, so they can see which one is best for your child, and not just recommend the system that they know best.
3. Portability should be considered. Mounting to a wheelchair may be required. Although all devices can be mounted, not all devices can be mounted to all wheelchairs. Heavy eye gaze devices should not be mounted to regular strollers as they can tip the child or bend the bars on the stroller. This is where the consultation with the Occupational or Physical therapist, or even Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs) is extremely helpful.
1. You child has to be able to access the device. If they need eye gaze to access the device, then you must choose a device with that capability. If they need switches, then systems with switch access should be trialed. If vision is an issue and the icons cannot be made bigger, that system is not a match. Access trumps language. If they can't access the language, then the language system doesn't matter. That is why this is the first and most important step.
2. There are the different ways the language is organized. There are predictive systems (TouchChat, NovaChat, Word Power), Semantic Compaction (Unity), Category based (Proloquo2go), text based (Proloquo4text, Predictable) and those with consistent motor plans (LAMP), although most systems result in the child developing motor memory to navigate to a word or phrase. There are letter by letter, word by word, and phrase by phrases set ups. To be honest, most evaluators recommend systems they are most familiar with. There are photo based, icon based (Symbol Stix, Boardmaker, Lesson Pix, etc) and text only. Within the field, there are heated debates on this very question: Which one is best? So let me explain it in this way...there are Mac people and there are Windows people. Which one is better? Probably the one you use the most. The reality is that neither is better than the other. One layout just matches your brain better. You can learn either platform, but one will probably take you longer than the other. So, there is no "best" AAC system. The tribalism around Mac vs Windows or Word Power vs Unity isn't serving our community. Matching the child's access system and the way the child thinks about language is the job of the evaluator. That is why it is important that your child is evaluated by someone who knows a variety of systems, so they can see which one is best for your child, and not just recommend the system that they know best.
3. Portability should be considered. Mounting to a wheelchair may be required. Although all devices can be mounted, not all devices can be mounted to all wheelchairs. Heavy eye gaze devices should not be mounted to regular strollers as they can tip the child or bend the bars on the stroller. This is where the consultation with the Occupational or Physical therapist, or even Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs) is extremely helpful.