AAC: LET’S GET TO THE

CORE Interactive Core Vocabulary Workshop!

Exploring different Core Vocabulary

sets and AAC systems. Putting to

practice effective facilitation techniques

and implementation ideas!

Region 13 Hill Country Summer Institute June 16, 2015

Presented by:

Jenny Dumas, M.S., CCC-SLP

Nichole Kertis, OT

Agenda

● Core Vocab Basics

● Effective Communication Facilitation Techniques

● Vocabulary Organization for AAC systems

● CV Assessment

● AAC implementation ideas for facilitating interactive communication in

the classroom

● Principles for Implementation

● Interactive AAC Lab throughout the workshop

What is Core Vocabulary?

❏Core Vocabulary (CV) is a concept related to overall frequency of

word use. CV is a relatively small set of simple words, in any

language, that are used frequently and across contexts (Cross,

Baker, Klotz & Badman, 1997).

CoreVocab13 CV Basics

And the "Why" of core vocabulary...

Selecting the Teaching Approach

Speech Talk

Signs Sign

Symbols ?????

Wait for Prerequisite Skills to Develop….

⬜ Adequate receptive language skills

⬜ Identify objects and pictures on request

⬜ Follow simple commands

Solution

Aided Language Stimulation

⬜ Aided Language Stimulation

(ALGS) approach in which the

facilitator points out symbols on

the child’s communication display

in conjunction with all ongoing

language stimulation. Through the

modeling process, the concept of

using pictorial symbols

interactively is demonstrated for

the individuals.

⬜ Goossens’ Crain, & Elder (1992)

⬜ CoreVocab13 ALgS

Core Vocabulary Organization:

Core vocabulary words can be used with any symbol set and may be

organized using one of these language representation methods.

❏ Closed Language System

❏ Open Language System

❏ Single Meaning Icons

❏ Multi-Meaning Icons

Language Representation Methods

-Limited vocabulary array

-Potential for student dependency

SONFO FLEX: WORD BASED/CONTEXT SPECIFIC VOCAB

SET

Closed Language Systems

Closed Language System

The term “Closed Language System”

refers to organizing and grouping

vocabulary that is relevant to a

specific context or activity.

Pros:

-Limited, manageable array of

vocabulary

-Page turning not required all the

language you need on one page.

- Potential for increased

communicative competency

-Ease of student learning

-Ease of facilitator learning

Cons

-Reduced ability to shift topics

- vocabulary is temporary

- does not support SNUG

Open Language System

The term “Open Language System”

refers to vocabulary that can be used

across all contexts for novel message

generations. .

Pros

-Large vocabulary array

-Flexible message expression

-Increase opportunity for topic shifts

More closely matches spoken language

-Supports our goal for CV= SNUG.

-Supports communicative autonomy.

- Being able to say whatever I want to say, to whoever I

want to say it to, whenever I want to say it. Gayle Porter

Cons

-May seem like an unmanageable vocabulary size for

teachers and school staff at first.

- Increased visual load

-Increased cognitive load Touch Chat: WordPower 42 Basic

Vocabulary Organization with AAC

Technology

Single Meaning Icons

⬜ Single Meaning Icons = one

icon will have one meaning.

⬜ Activation requires one icon

hit to generate one word.

Multi-Meaning Icons

⬜ Multi-Meaning Icons (semantic compaction =one icon can mean several different things.

⬜ Activation requires sequencing of 2 or more icons to generate one word.

Vocabulary organization with AAC

Technology

Single Meaning Icons Multi-Meaning Icons

Nova Chat 10: Picture Word Power 48 Accent 1200: Unity 84 sequenced

Text/Alphabet based

Text/Alphabet Based=letters

from the alphabet are used to

generate words and then

generate messages.

● It’s important to have

within an AAC

vocabulary retrieval set

system.

Text/Alphabet Based with CV

CV Organization: No-Tech/Light-Tech

❏ Organization of No Tech AAC systems

❏ Review various Manual Communication Boards (MCBs) with Core

Vocabulary:

❏ Single Sheet MCBS

❏ Multiple Simultaneous Design MCBS

❏ Multiple Sequential Design MCBS

CV Organization: Low-Tech

❏ Organization of Low-Tech AAC systems

CV Organization: High-Tech AAC

❏ Organization of High Tech AAC devices:

❏ https://sites.google.com/a/esc13.net/corevocab13/types-of-

aac-technology/high-tech

❏ Discuss 3 AAC apps with Core Vocabulary: See what’s available

with Pros and Cons

❏ Proloquo2GO

❏ TouchChat with Word Power

❏ LAMP

PROLOQUO2GO PRICE Summary Pros Cons

$249.00 • Proloquo2Go has twoavailable vocabularysets that include:

1. BasicCommunication,Content specificvocabulary thatcombines words andphrases to generatemessages.

2. Core Word: novelword basedvocabulary retrievalset that uses coreand content words.

• Provide picture support foremerging readers (i.e. SymbolSticks).

• Can be customized on thefly.

• Can import symbol sticks orreal pictures using in app orphoto library.

• Has scanning capabilities.• Hold time can be set, to

ignore repeated tapping.• Can be backed up to iTunes

or dropbox.• Keyboard with word

prediction.• Insert symbols with text

into the message window• Can change grammatical

endings to teach syntax.• Recent View tracks message

history.• Messages can be sent to

Facebook, Twitter, textmessages, email.

• Good online support withlearning videos:http:www.assistiveware.com/ e-learning

• Expensive• Vocabulary can be cumbersome

and difficult to navigatethrough. Too many sub-categories.

• Difficult for some user tonavigate between Grid andTyping (keyboard with WordPrediction.

• Visually confusing, only theborders are color coded noticons. Although, it can becustomized.

• Editing is not as user friendlyas others. Hard to changeplacement of icons.

PROLOQUO2GO

Core Vocabulary

• Hide and Show feature totemplate icons on the fly.

•

TOUCHCHAT: WORD POWER

PRICE SUMMARY PROS CONS

$299.99 Word Power is a well known,

word-based vocabulary retrieval

set that uses both core and

content words that was created by

Nancy Inman.

• Includes high frequency core

words on the main page and

clear content words

categorized into groups.

• English and Spanish

vocabularies available

• predictable icon links to

grammatical endings.

• Icons automatic link to

predictable vocabulary (link

can be turned off).

• Provide picture supports(Symbol Sets).

• Can import pictures fromphoto library or take aphoto using in app camera.

• Icons can be programmed tocarry out functions (i.e. pageback,).

• Can use recorded speech.• Customizing/Editing is user

friendly.• Editing feature can be

turned off.• Icon activation can be

controlled using dwell orrelease feature.

iShare Service available forin app backups and imports.

• Keyboard with Word Prediction.

• Text can be generated and shared on social media text message, and email.

• Good online support and live webinars. http://touchchatapp.com/support/touchchat

• Expensive

• Requires extensive page turning for vocabulary

retrieval.

• symbols cannot be inserted with text into the

message window for generated messages.

• icloud backup is based on a annual subscription

fee.

Touch Chat with WordPower Vocabulary Sets

WordPower 42 Basic

WordPower 42

WordPower 80

imports, and exports.

LAMP Words for Life

PRICE SUMMARY PROS CONS

$299.99 Lamp is a communication app

created by Prentke Romich

Company (PRC), who is one of the

top manufactures for AAC

devices. LAMP uses Unity as the

vocabulary retrieval set.

Unity is a word based vocabulary

retrieval set that using multi-

meaning icons to generate novel

messages aka semantic

compaction.

• Generative word-basedvocabulary set that includedcore and content words.

• User does not have to beliterate. User develops amotor plan to sequence

icons to retrieve vocabulary.• Faster than page turning.• Picture Support (Minspeak

icons)• Can customize on the fly

using Minspeak icons andcan import or take pictures inthe app.

• Can turn editing on/off in theapp settings.

• Hide and Show Mode totarget words relevant to anactivity.

• Vocabulary builder togenerate word list to be usedin structured activities.

• Word Finder to show symbol

sequence of unfamiliarwords.

• iShare service for backups,

• Expensive

• Sequencing is advanced

cognitive tasks that is

difficult for some users to

learn.

• Learning curve for

communication partners

and facilitators.

• Icons are less than a halfinch making it difficult forusers with visual deficits orlow vision to see.

• Does not have a dwell orrelease feature to help

with accidental hits.However, there is a keyguard available.

• cloud based backupsrequires ishare annualsubscription

LAMP Vocabulary Set

84 sequenced

CV Assessment

● Goal for AAC assessment is to determine the most efficient and

effective vocabulary retrieval set and AAC system for your student.

● Where to start? have the student complete a period of prescriptive

treatment using various cv retrieval sets and AAC systems.

● Facilitation technique: Aided Language Stimulation (i.e. Modeling)

should be use as the primary Facilitation Technique during the

period of prescriptive treatment.

CoreVocab13 CV Assessment

Principles for implementation

❏Vocabulary Planners

❏https://sites.google.com/a/esc13.net/corevocab13/what-is-

core-vocabulary

❏General Language

❏https://sites.google.com/a/esc13.net/corevocab13/what-is-

core-vocabulary

ALgs Basics

⬜ Only one facilitator is required

⬜ May be conducted with one or more students

⬜ Modeled message belongs to the facilitator

⬜ Facilitator does not expect student to generate

modeled message.

AAC Users may...

⬜ Exhibit poor visual attention to display

⬜ Make random activations

⬜ Imitate facilitator with no communicative intent

Modeling

⬜ Children will learn to use their AAC

system in the way partners model it.

ALgS: Engineered Environment

1.Prepare physical environment for materials and AAC

systems

2. Prepare facilitators and communication partners for

effective facilitation and communication style.

Time to have some fun...

Facilitating Interactive Communication in the classroom to support AAC!

Ideas and tips we’ve learned along the way!

CoreVocab13 Implementation Ideas

Facilitating Interactive Communication: in the classroom.

1: Find the Bright Spots

2: Find your hook

3: Get to know the staff

4. Get the conversation started at the beginning of the

year regarding ideas for communication groups to

support AAC users and to train staff. Staff input is key

for success.

5. Start with one activity and make a plan with a target

outcome.

Some tips I’ve learned the hard way...

⬜

Staff Training Ideas: Implementation of AAC in the classroom

Campus SLP and classroom teacher come up with 1 daily classroom activity to “engineer” and train staff on AAC facilitation strategies.

Two different ways the next step can be implemented: depends on the teacher

⬜ 1.SLP would observe classroom teacher run the activity to learn the sequence and the language used during the activity. Then SLP would added needed vocabulary to students AAC systems and create a vocabulary planner for relevant message the student could use during the activity and where it is located in the student's’ AAC system.

⬜ 2. SLP would be in charge of running the activity for the first couple of times, but the goal would be to train the teacher so he/she can take over. The SLP would create vocabulary planner and would customize students’ AAC systems prior to running the activity.

Once the activity is “engineered”, have staff participate in the daily classroom activity using student's’ AAC system. Teaching staff to wait for direct verbal cues from primary facilitator before pointing to relevant symbols/icons.

Facilitator's Roles

Primary Facilitator: • Establishes and runs the activity.

• Provides verbal cues.

• Creates communicative opportunities

Secondary Facilitator: • Serves as the QUIET coach and/or communication role model.

• In charge of modeling or providing pointer cues in response to Primary

Facilitators verbal cues.

• Helps students recognize and respond to communication opportunities.

.

Cooking activities to facilitate

communicative AAC use!

CoreVocab13 Cooking

Facilitating AAC during a cooking activity

Crockett: Spring 2014:

Ideas for increasing

Social Conversational Skills with AAC Users!

CoreVocab13 ToolKit-

Social

Social Communication Group

Social Communication Group

Goal for Social Communication Group

- to teach expressive and receptive language skills needed for beginning AAC students how to

interact during social conversational exchanges with peers and campus school staff.

Prepare the environment : Materials

⬜ Examples Socials Scripts

⬜ Anatomy of a Conversation

⬜ Student Questionnaires/ Interviews to get personal core vocabulary

words to add to each student's AAC system.

⬜ Printed and laminated paper copies for students without AAC systems

to use to participate

⬜ Created Lesson Plans with objectives for initially trainings.

Prepare the Environment: Equipment needed

Tapit: interactive whiteboard

:

Dynavox Compass Editing Software

with Communication Word Power

AAC Skype Group

● Skyping is a motivating and fun way for AAC users to interact across the

region and work on increasing social communication skills.

Skype: AAC Mentors

● AAC users don’t typically see other competent AAC users they can learn

from.

Having Fun!

Leisure Activities to target CV.

CoreVocab13 Toolkit: Games and Fun:

Cookie Doodle

⬜ Awesome apps for supporting core vocabulary!

⬜ Able to choose a cookie to decorate or follow a step by step

recipe to make the cookies. Both are great for modeling

language with AAC users.

● Great to facilitate CV words!

○ one on one activity

○ group activity

● Students and Teachers LOVE this app!

Toca Hair Salon Me

Ideas for CV

implementation to support

Literacy Skills using AAC!

CoreVocab13 Toolkit: Reading

Unique Learning Systems

⬜

● Targets CV words, while teaching functional language and literacy skills.

Idea: Read books about working then use cv words to talk about the jobs.

CV Practice: Core Word Challenge

⬜ Deuling AAC devices

⬜ create flashcards of target CV words and

challenge students to see who can be the first

on find the target word in their device.

⬜ Can also do this activity as a group or take turns.

Ideas for developing writing skills using CV words for AAC users!

Find your hook… Ways to make it fun!

Pic Collage

● Great hook for practicing writing using core vocabulary words!

● Idea: Find motivating and relatable pictures for students to write

about:

○ school friends

○ field trips

○ objects of interest

Book Creator Book Creator” Features: add pictures, audio, video, and text. Will open in ibooks, with working video and sound files.

⬜ Idea: Have students’ write about recent events or class field trips using CV!

⬜ Can be a whole class activity!

Visual Poetry

● Idea: use to target a specific part of speech with CV words

○ Idea: Have students give 3 adjectives that best describe them.

Writing: How to incorporate CV

⬜ Use Picture Symbols from AAC vocabulary sets as

visual writing support for sentence completion and

sentence generation.

⬜ Use no-tech Alphabet Board to increase students

phonics skills and to spell words that are not in student’s

AAC System.

CoreVocab13 Writing

Writing with CV : Using Power Point and You Tube to create a fun writing activity.

REFERENCES ⬜ Goossens’, 2013. Using Aided Language Stimulation to support AAC Language

& Literacy in the Classroom. cgoosens@me.com

⬜ Elder, 2003. Facilitation Techniques in Engineered Educational Environments. pelder@ucpbham.com

⬜ Burkhart, Cafiero, Musselwhite, Sennott, 2010. Aided Language Stimulation: Research to Practice. www.lburkhart.com

⬜ Musselwhite, 2014. iWRITE: Can iDevices SupportEmergent Writers? APPSolutely!

⬜ www.aacintervention.com

⬜ http://aacgirls.blogspot.com/

⬜ http://spedapp2.wikispaces.com