Visual Scene Displays (VSD)

A Visual Scene Display (VSD) is a form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) that uses pictures and/ or photos to communicate a message that relates to a specific part of the scene. This type of AAC is designed with personalized pictures or photos rather than the traditional grid-like format of other AAC devices. Previous research has shown that people with aphasia more often use personally relevant picture scenes to communicate a message rather than generalized icons. VSDs can be utilized through low tech modalities such as printed on a piece of paper or high tech on a device (Beukelman et al., 2015).

Ideal Candidates:

• patient with severe non-fluent aphasia

Example Goal

When asked about his weekend or previous event, Robert will retell the past event to the clinician and answer questions about the event with 80% accuracy given no more than 3 verbal/ visual cues in 3 consecutive sessions using a Visual Scene Display on his AAC device as measured by clinician data. 

Visual Scene Display Activity 

The clinician will help the client contrive different visual scene displays that are personally relevant to the client as well as phrases and words that correspond with each visual picture scene. The clinician and client can continue practicing conversational dialogue with common questions and answers that may arise regarding the context of the visual scene display. 

Data Collection System

Any data collection system preferred by the clinician that can track 

1. whether or not the client was able to correctly answer questions and contribute to the conversation (+/-)

2. when prompts were needed (p)

can be utilized when working with VSDs.  

References

Beukelman, D. R., Hux, K., Dietz, A., McKelvey, M., & Weissling, K. (2015). Using visual scene displays as communication support options for people with chronic, severe aphasia: A summary of aac research and future research directions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 31(3), 234–245. https://doi.org/10.3109/07434618.2015.1052152