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When determining if a high-tech AAC option best meets a child's communication needs it is integral to conduct a thoughtful trial, beginning with an assessment of the child's communication skills and needs, as well as completing a feature match. A feature match process outlines the features of an AAC system that a child needs in order to be able to use the communication system independently and meaningfully. Once a few AAC tools are identified as possible options for the child, a systematic trial needs to be conducted in order to gather data to determine the best fit for the child. Below outlines some considerations regarding the AAC trial process for children with combined vision and hearing loss.
AAC Options for Children with Visual Impairment
AAC Options for Children with Visual Impairment
Many light-tech and high-tech AAC options can be made accessible to children with ocular or cortical visual impairment. Below outlines a few options for children who have visual impairments. See below for examples of some of options listed
Hand-Under-Hand Access for AAC
Hand-Under-Hand Access for AAC
Hand-under-hand has long been used with children with combined vision and hearing loss. It can also be a powerful way for young children with deafblindness to learn to use a high-tech AAC system.
Switch Access for Communication
Switch Access for Communication
Some children with complex bodies, significant vision loss and mild to moderate hearing loss may benefit from access to a high tech AAC system using switch access. In order to build understanding of switch access for high-tech AAC access children should be exposed to three elements:
- Partner Assisted Scanning: child needs to have exposure to information being presented one word at a time. In order to a child to use a high-tech AAC system they need to be able to listen to one word at a time and respond with a confirmation or refusal
- Rich Vocabulary Instruction: child needs to be exposed to rich vocabulary instruction, with an emphasis on core vocabulary such as "more", "stop", "go", "hello", "mine", "play", "on" and "turn".
- Switch Access: child needs to understand the power of switches within a communication framework. The document below outlines a 4 part process that can assist children in practicing the switch access skills they need to utilize a high-tech AAC system.
- Step 1: Cause and Effect
- Step 2: Use of a Switch/Simple Voice Output Device for Simple Communication Purposes
- Step 3: Use of a Switch within the Partner Assisted Scanning framework
- Step 4: Use of Switch Scanning with a Speech Generating Device
Modified PODD Book Examples
Modified PODD Book Examples
LAMP Words for Life for Visual Impairment with Tactile Keyguard
LAMP Words for Life for Visual Impairment with Tactile Keyguard
Clicker Communicator (using masking)
Clicker Communicator (using masking)
Clicker Communicator (using Big Keys zoom feature)
Clicker Communicator (using Big Keys zoom feature)
Avaz App (using Zoom feature)
Avaz App (using Zoom feature)
LAMP Words for Life App (with Vocabulary Builder feature for masking)
LAMP Words for Life App (with Vocabulary Builder feature for masking)
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