Module 1 Unit 1 Symbols and AAC
- 1. Symbols for Communication and Literacy Module 1 Unit 1
- 2. In this activity you will: • Explore what we mean by AAC • Consider why we use AAC • Think about who uses AAC • Consider different forms of AAC • Learn about Symbols • Think about language and culture in using symbols
- 3. Why is language and communication so important? Communication and language skills allow a person to… • Initiate, maintain, and terminate conversations • Establish/maintain relationships • Give information • Ask/Answer questions • Describe events • Solve problems • Direct others • Express feelings • Tell Stories • Learn • Function with greater independence Can you imagine your life where you were unable to do any of these?
- 4. What is the impact if we cannot communicate? People who cannot communicate experience a loss of control over their own lives Inability to communicate has an impact on every aspect of life and is likely to affect mental health, behaviour as well as any opportunity to learn new skills through interacting with others
- 5. How do we communicate? We all use multiple ways to communicate and are often divided into verbal and non verbal forms. Verbal forms would include speech and non verbal forms of communication would include gesture, facial expression, intonation, written words and the use of symbols or images to convery meaning
- 6. What prevents us being able to communicate? Communication can be limited for a variety of reasons. These can include reasons related to the individual who may be unable to articulate words, structure sentences or process speech as a result of a wide range of disabilities. But they can also relate to the communication partner who does not understand or recognise the communication form that a person is using An obvious example of this is where a deaf person is using sign language but can only be understood where an interpreter is available
- 7. Who uses AAC? Many people with disabilities benefit from using AAC. These might include those with • An intellectual disability • Cerebral palsy • Autism • Apraxia of speech • Traumatic Brain Injury • People who have had a Stroke • Acquired Physical Disabilities such as ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson’s Disease • Aphasia Some people are born with a condition which severely limits their communication, other acquire a disability with the same impact. The key difference is those that acquire a disability may have already developed advanced communication skills before becoming disabled.
- 8. ASHA define AAC as: Involving attempts to study and when necessary compensate for temporary or permanent impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions of persons with severe disorders of speech- language production and/or comprehension, including spoken and written modes of communication. (ASHA, 2005) For the purposes of our learning we can interpret this as meaning that AAC tries to make up for the loss of communication either verbal or written, so that a person can participate more fully in daily activities whether for a short time or long term. AAC may not always be a permanent need, there are many examples of AAC usage in hospitals where a patient has used AAC during the early phases of recovery following trauma or illness. Can you think of examples where you have seen or have used AAC with people with different needs?
- 9. So AAC includes All forms of communication that enhance or supplement speech and writing (ASHA Knowledge and Skills for AAC Service Delivery, 2001) Take a moment to think about all the different forms of communication we might use We will return to this later in our course
- 10. AAC involves Supplementing or replacing natural speech and writing with • aided symbols such as picture communication symbols, line drawings, Blissymbols, and physical objects • Unaided symbols such as manual signs, gestures, and finger spelling In many cases effective communication includes a combination of aided and unaided approaches and formal and informal ways to communicate. The use of symbols to communicate a need may be enhanced by recognising other cues such as facial expression and sounds which communicate urgency
- 11. Types of AAC that we might use? How many of these forms of AAC are you familiar with? • Signing • Gestures • Pointing to symbols with a finger or eyes • Sharing symbol cards between people • Using a speech generating device or voice output communication aid • Interpreting non verbal cues • Touching or selecting physical objects to convey a message Can you think of others?
- 12. Regardless of the type or form of AAC used, AAC always involves the use of symbols to represent concepts and might include • single meaning pictures, • alphabet-based methods, and • semantic compaction Which represent the intended communication of a person
- 13. But always remember that: • All communication has a non verbal element • Before formalising Communication think about establishing consistency of non verbal communication • Ensure there are consistent actions that are purposeful • Don’t ignore the input of family – skilled in interpreting these tiny indicators
- 14. Establishing Communication Observe Interpret ImitateModel Initiate Before starting to introduce a formal or structured approach to communication we should interact with the person with a disability to establish prerequisites to AAC Such interactions can involve five steps as shown in the diagram here
- 15. Not to find a technology solution to the communication difficulty but instead to enable the individual to efficiently and effectively engage in a variety of interactions. We can build upon this by introducing a structured approach to communication. But remembering that the ultimate goal of introducing an AAC system is….
- 16. Before starting with a system or device – remember…. “The MESSAGE, not the medium is what matters for people who cannot use their own voices.” • (McDonald, 1994)
- 17. Introducing AAC Devices and systems A quick summary AAC devices and system are used by people who do not speak, are difficult to understand, or have language retrieval issues AAC devices are used by people of all ages with a variety of disabilities there is no single device or system that is suitable for everyone AAC devices allow a person to send a message through printed words, voice output, pictures, or any combination AAC devices come in a range of styles, and can be low cost or very expensive
- 18. Many AAC devices and systems use symbols to support communication To help us work with AAC devices and symbols it is useful to understand a little more about symbols themselves
- 19. AAC Symbols can take various forms Symbol for communication can include Objects Photographs Or realistic pictures that could be Color or Black and White
- 20. AAC Symbols can include Line Drawings which might be in Color or Black and White. Experience suggests that different people prefer different styles But may also include using an alphabet and spelling to communicate or alongside other symbols
- 21. Picture Symbols Here are some examples of some picture symbols What do they mean to you?
- 22. Picture Symbols Sometimes meaning is ambiguous and might be influenced by culture, age or experience To adults this symbol might mean danger To children this symbol might mean pirates As a result of films and TV, pirates are “fun” not “dangerous”
- 23. Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) Symbols often involve us moving from a specific concept “this cat” to a generalisation “cat” The communication partner may need to help decide if a child is talking about cats generally or a specific cat such as a pet.
- 24. Nouns Nouns are some of the first symbols we use in communication They represent objects including people But even these are subject to interpretation based on context and familarity How many of the symbols above are unambiguous? Which ones are you unsure of?
- 25. Verbs Similarly what do you think each of these symbols represent They all verbs and represent actions
- 26. Verbs Did you get them all correct ? Eat Look Run Pray Play
- 27. Adjectives and Adverbs As language becomes more abstract So symbols become increasingly open to interpretation What do you think these mean?
- 28. Adjectives and Adverbs How did you do ?
- 29. Language and Culture The interpretation of symbols is also influenced by our language and culture Our experience and familiarity with an image will influence what we believe it means and is trying to communicate
- 30. Language and Culture Arabic Symbols - Tawasol How many of the symbols in Maryam’s message do you think are “universal” and how many are influenced by the community and country within which she lives?
- 31. Culture and AAC – Some key issues to consider • Cultural influence creates or increases familiarity with a symbol that represents a concept • Culture is complex and subtle • Often we don’t recognise how culture is embedded in a design until we look at alternatives • For this reason we emphasise the value of a symbol set created from within the community in which they will be used Compare these two sets of symbols for Arabic speakers The first uses symbols “borrowed from the west” The second uses symbols created by Arabic speakers in the Gulf region
- 34. Summary AAC takes many forms and supports a wide variety of needs AAC involves communicating meaning using symbols to address barriers to language Familiarity impacts upon successful use of symbols Familiarity is influenced by language and culture Our purpose is not to simply choose a technology but to enable communication and interaction
- 35. Key points to remember • People who cannot communicate experience a loss of control over their own lives • We all use multiple ways to communicate and are often divided into verbal and non verbal forms. • Many people with disabilities benefit from using AAC • AAC includes all forms of communication that enhance or supplement speech and writing • The message, not the medium is what matters for people who cannot use their own voices