Lots of connections for AAC awareness month

Below are just a couple of great awareness ideas different people around the world are putting up to remind us all about the importance of support for people, with Complex Communication Needs. Rather than reinvent the wheel, I thought I would post a couple of them here. Hopefully some will resonate with you, or there are new links you can use functionally.

24 Hour International AAC Chat on 24 October 2015  

 Enjoy sharing with people around the world: users, professionals, families and networks

 Autistikids13 October 2015  

Quote from the Autistikids Facebook site 
In the last 3 days, I've seen a couple of references to teachers taking AAC devices away as a "disciplinary" measure. W T F?!? On what planet would this be appropriate?
Seriously, if you hear of this, address this issue ASAP, whether it's your kid or someone else's. If a teacher taped your kid's mouth shut as a "disciplinary" measure, what would your reaction be?

What can we do to change this negative culture? Cathy

 Another post from a different Facebook site (Candi Brooks)

Speech Pathology Australia has posted a message about AAC awareness month. 

Remember to include a Speech Pathology/communication assessment in your NDIS plan

Have your say in the Victorian Multi Purpose Taxi review (Submission til 4 December.) AAC users often have great difficulties engaging with sectors for community inclusion and participation. Let them know what you need!

Cathy

Cathy Basterfield

Speech Pathologist

Access Easy English

cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au

www.accesseasyenglish.com.au

0466 579 855

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month 2015

October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month.

Augmentative - to augment or to assist;

Alternative -  an alternate to speech.

Both these are used to assist communication, improve opportunities to communicate, and provide a means to communicate. AAC research has shown time again that if a person has the ability to use their speech the introduction and use of an AAC does not stop the development of speech, but in fact will enhance the person's communication, reduce frustration and provide opportunities for language and communication to develop, if or when speech does develop.

AAC can be split into 2 main areas, aided and unaided

Aided - when the person uses or carries something - “an aid" to communicate

An aid can be technology based, such as a dedicated Voice output device, 

or

without technology, ranging from a pen and paper to write a note, to using familiar objects in the person’s environment.

Unaided - when a person does not use an aid, but instead uses their hands using sign and gesture, body language and facial expression.

A skilled speech pathologist working in the area of AAC will assess and consider and introduce to you a total communication system, which may include all or some aspect of both aided and unaided communication.

Check out this excellent handout from WA ILC (ILC tech) on Top tips for Implementing AAC

Professional and User Support Networks

Many Speech Pathologists who specialise in this area are members of groups such as 

- AGOSC Inc. AGOSCI Inc welcomes professions and users of AAC to be part of their network, their biannual conference and their PD events. There is a listserv discussion page, where everyone generously provides support, advice and ideas

- their state based Key Word Sign group, eg Key Word Sign Victoria.

There are many in Australia who are also part of the International AAC network, ISAAC. 

A number of Speech Pathologists, who specialise in AAC, are also members of SpeechPathology Australia. You can access the online listing of people who specialise in AAC from Speech Pathology Australia. 

Cathy Basterfield

Speech Pathologist

Access Easy English

Cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au

www.accesseasyenglish.com.au

0466 579 855