Giving Time to Talk

Conversation goes at a mile a minute. For students who use AAC, entering the stream of conversation is impossible. The average teenager takes seven conversational turns per minute and change topic at the rate of once or twice in a five minute period. The fastest Speech Generating Device (SDG) user may only be able to produce ten words per minute (Howery, 2018).  

Some people think of Stephen Hawkings giving lectures when they think of SGD users. It can be disappointing when an SDG device does not improve the student's communication in class. 

At best, an SGD is 15-25x slower than regular speech (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013).

In a recent article, Out of Time: The Experience of Speech-Generating Device Users (2018), Howery interviews AAC users and explores what it's like to use AAC every day. Howery gives a few suggestions and hope.

1. Ask your AAC user to come to class with the answer prepared. Call on the student early in the lecure, to deliver the answer and drive the discussion. This goes for conversation as well. Peers can quickly say "Hello," and, "When I see you tomorrow, I want to hear about your weekend."
2. Remove time from communication: encourage messaging and texting with classmates and friends, which allows asynchronous communication.
3. Use online environments for classroom discussion to allow for better reflection and thought in a public forum for all students.

Beukelman, D., & Mirenda, P. (2013). AAC: Supporting children

and adults with CCN (4th ed.). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

Howery, K. (2018). Out of Time: The Experience of Speech-Generating Device Users. Communication Disorders Quarterly 2018, Vol. 40(1) 40–49.

DIY Eye Gaze Frame

A low-tech option for eye-gaze can be achieved with some PVC pipes and free images from -website-

1)  Check out this step-by-step video from Lydia

AT MacGyver Episode 2- Create your Own Eye Gaze Frame youtu.be

If you prefer not to DIY, here is one you can purchase 

https://enablingdevices.com/product/eye-talks/

choose "Eye Talk Only" if you don't need the black tray. The tray gives it some stability.

Eye Talks | Enabling Devices enablingdevices.com Enabling Devices provides of a range of assistive technology and adapted products for people with disabilities, their teachers and therapists.

If you like Modular Hose as much as me, see this plexiglass shield, it works for eye gaze on a wheel chair for about $55. Available with several different clamp options.

http://www.modularhose.com/Loc-Line-34-System/34-all-parts/Loc-Line-60527.html

Loc-Line 60527 Shield Kit - Loc-Line Modular Hose System www.modularhose.com Master Distributors of Loc-Line Modular Hose. Loc-Line is available in 4 different sizes.

ModularHose.com - Mini Clamp www.modularhose.com ModularHose Mini Clamp This mini clamp is idea for tight spaces or when a smaller clamp will do. Works on round and flat surfaces up to 2 inches.

http://www.modularhose.com/Loc-Line-34-System/34-miscellaneous/514113.html

http://www.acciinc.com/eye-com-board/

Eye-Com™ Board - Augmentative Communication Consultants, Inc. www.acciinc.com Eye-Com™ Board This clear acrylic board sits in a sturdy wooden stand that makes it convenient as an eye-gaze device. The non-speaking person looks at a picture and the person on the other side of the acrylic board follows that person gaze to interpret the person's message.

Perspex E-Tran I called Jim Rogers at Cadan AT to purchase the E-Tran (below) 

 

Staff Use Strategies of Aided Language Input, Multi-Modal Supports and Universal Design for Learning to Increase Student Engagement and Communication in an IBI Program

WELCOME TO THE VALA PROGRAM!!

The Vista Adolescent Learning Academy (VALA) is an intensive behavior intervention (IBI) program for secondary students located in Vista Unified School District that provides services individualized to meet the unique needs of each student with a focus on behavior, communication, functional academic, and adaptive living skills.

Mark Formanns leads a team of incredibly dedicated and passionate individuals that use fundamental principles of modeling language and creating access to curriculum using multiple modalities of support including: partners all model language and symbolic communication, visual time and schedules posted, clear behavior expectations and self-regulation options are always available, and interactive use of technology smartboard. Check out some of the fantastic tools, tips, and strategies used in the classroom:

Many of the students in the VALA program are non-verbal and require the use of augmentative alternative communication (AAC). Mark and staff in the program have received training in and regularly use Aided Language Stimulation techniques and highly motivating activities to successfully engage and teach symbol communication to their students. Check out the crew in action:

KEEP UP THE AMAZING WORK YOU ARE ALL DOING!!