Introduction to AAC
Description
This course was designed for those new to the field of AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). It provides information on AAC, who uses AAC, stakeholders and goals based on user values. Components of AAC systems are reviewed.
Speakers
Katya Hill, Ph.D, CCC-SLP
• Does not have any financial relationships to disclose. However, many of the concepts, principles and models presented are from her publications, research, patents and authored products. Any revenue from products goes to the AAC Institute, a nonprofit organization.
• Has a nonfinancial relationship. Dr. Hill is the Executive Director of the AAC Institute, a volunteer position.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Define augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
- Define the goal of AAC
- Identify AAC stakeholders
- Discuss the values of people who use AAC
- Classify the range of AAC technology; and
- Identify the primary components of AAC technology
CEUs
Course Fee
Free; This course is without charge. However, your generosity will help grow our advocacy efforts, internet-based course offerings, podcasts and webinars, and continue to help people using AAC. Please consider a donation to AACI. All donations are tax-deductible.
| Module 1 | Description, Learning Outcomes, Author, Outline |
| Unit 1 | Introduction |
| Module 2 | Introduction; Definitions; Speech, Language, Communication; Multi-Modal; Goal of AAC; Supporting documents |
| Unit 1 | Introduction |
| Unit 2 | Defining AAC |
| Unit 3 | Speech, Language and Communication |
| Unit 4 | Multi-Modal Communication |
| Unit 5 | American Speech Language Hearing Association |
| Unit 6 | Overview of AAC |
| Unit 7 | The Goal of AAC |
| Unit 8 | Supporting Professional Documents |
| Unit 9 | ASHA Documents |
| Unit 10 | Consumer Protection |
| Unit 11 | AAC Rules of Commitment |
| Unit 12 | United Nations Convention |
| Unit 13 | In Summary: Fluency |
| Module 3 | Who uses AAC; Terminology; Prevalence of AAC; AAC Professionals and Stakeholders; AAC Values; Achieving the Goal of AAC |
| Unit 1 | Who Uses AAC |
| Unit 2 | Terminology |
| Unit 3 | Congenital Disabilities |
| Unit 4 | Acquired Disabilities |
| Unit 5 | Clinical Terminology |
| Unit 6 | Prevalence of AAC |
| Unit 7 | Who Are the AAC Stakeholders? |
| Unit 8 | Consumer-Centered Services |
| Unit 9 | AAC Professionals |
| Unit 10 | Other Important AAC Stakeholders |
| Unit 11 | What Is Valued by People Who Use AAC? |
| Unit 12 | Achieving the Goal of AAC |
| Module 4 | Hisorical Milestones in AAC |
| Unit 1 | Historical Mileposts |
| Unit 2 | Early Years of AAC |
| Unit 3 | Bliss Symbols & Shirley McNaughton |
| Unit 4 | Trace Center and Greg Vanderheiden |
| Unit 5 | Application of Single Switch Scanning |
| Unit 6 | Early Publications |
| Unit 7 | Speech Output |
| Unit 8 | Microprocessor Technology Comes to AAC |
| Unit 9 | AAC Language Representation Methods Expand |
| Unit 10 | Professional Organizations - ISAAC |
| Unit 11 | Touch Screens |
| Unit 12 | Pittsburgh Employment Conference for Augmented Communicators |
| Unit 13 | AAC Performance and Outcomes |
| Unit 14 | Legislative Milestones |
| Unit 15 | Summary |
| Module 5 | Classifying AAC Interventions |
| Unit 1 | Classifying AAC interventions |
| Unit 2 | Unaided |
| Unit 3 | Aided |
| Unit 4 | Low-technology |
| Unit 5 | Light tech |
| Unit 6 | High technology |
| Unit 7 | Review AAC Classification System |
| Unit 8 | Word of Caution |
| Module 6 | Components of AAC Assistive Technology |
| Unit 1 | Components of AAC Assistive Technology |
| Unit 2 | Language |
| Unit 3 | Alphabet-based methods |
| Unit 4 | Single meaning pictures (symbols) |
| Unit 5 | Semantic Compaction™ |
| Unit 6 | AAC Language Application Software |
| Unit 7 | Hardware |
| Unit 8 | Non-Dedicated AAC Systems |
| Unit 9 | Control Interfaces for Dedicated Technology |
| Unit 10 | Touch Screen Interfaces |
| Unit 11 | Hybrid Displays |
| Unit 12 | Hardware – Outputs |
| Unit 13 | Speech/Auditory Output |
| Unit 14 | Outputs – Integrated AAC Systems |
| Unit 15 | Data logging / Language Activity Monitor |
| Unit 16 | Other Hardware Considerations |
| Module 7 | Components of AAC Assistive Technology (cont.) |
| Unit 1 | Components of AAC Assistive Technology (cont.) |
| Unit 2 | Direct Selection |
| Unit 3 | Scanning |
| Unit 4 | Coding |
| Unit 5 | Choosing the Selection Technique and Interface |
| Unit 6 | Accessories and Services |
| Unit 7 | Services |
| Unit 8 | Summary |
| Unit 9 | Course ID #2: CEU Evaluation |