COMMUNICATION AIDS
https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/what-is-aac
https://abilitynet.org.uk/factsheets/communication-aids-0
https://g-kenneth.blogspot.com/2019/10/communication-aids-and-strategies-using_15.html
1.Communication Aids
Communication problems affect an estimated 2.2 million people.
This includes people with aphasia, autism, cerebral palsy, dementia, head trauma, learning difficulties,
motor neurone disease (MND), Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and stroke.
People with these conditions may have difficulty speaking or understanding what is being said. This
barrier can affect every aspect of daily life.
A large variety of communication aids are available to help people communicate more effectively.
Useful aids include ‘no-tech’ E-Tran frames (a means of using eye-pointing as a way of communicating
through pictures, symbols, letters, number and words), and computer-aided communication using
dedicated input methods, and dedicated AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) tools.
This factsheet outlines your options when selecting an electronic aid to make it clearer and quicker to
communicate.
AAC (‘augmentative and alternative communication’) aids can be a purpose-built device or a standard
computer, tablet or smartphone running specialist software or apps.
Many people combine these high-tech aids with other forms of non-verbal communication, including
gestures, facial expression, pictures and signing.
Everyone’s communication support needs are different and selecting the right communication aids for
an individual will depend on their particular needs, personal preferences and abilities.
With so many aids to choose from, we emphasise the importance of seeking a comprehensive
assessment by a speech and language therapist. This will ensure that all the important factors are
considered – including the individual's motor, visual, cognitive, language and communication strengths
and weaknesses. The therapist can also make a referral to a specialist communication aid centre if
necessary.
Communication is a two-way process and it is very helpful to include family members and carers in an
assessment.
Ongoing training and support can also help to ensure the success of the selected aid(s). Additionally,
with the cost involved, it makes great sense to have a free trial before committing to the purchase of
any expensive communication aid.
2. What is AAC?
An introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). What is AAC and who is it for?
What are the different types of AAC? What are the benefits of AAC?
What is AAC?
AAC is short for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Communication devices, systems, strategies and tools that replace or support natural speech are known
as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). These tools support a person who has difficulties
communicating using speech.
The first “A” in AAC stands for Augmentative Communication. When you augment something, you add
to it or supplement. Augmentative communication is when you add something to your speech (eg. sign
language, pictures, a letter board). This can make your message clearer to your listener.
The second “A” in AAC stands for Alternative Communication. This is when you are not able to speak. It
is also when your speech is not understood by others. In this case, you need a different way to
communicate.
Basically, AAC can be tools, systems, devices or strategies. These tools help a person communicate,
when they cannot rely on speech. Perhaps your child has not started talking. Perhaps you have lost your
ability to speak. Perhaps your speech comes and goes. Maybe speaking is harder than other ways to
communicate. AAC can help.
Who is AAC for?
There are many reasons why a person may not be able to communicate using speech. They may have a
developmental disability which has affected the development of speech. They may have an acquired
disorder that has affected the person’s ability to speak. Many people with different communication
difficulties, speech impediments and disorders can benefit from AAC.
AAC finders may help discover who could use AAC, using the AAC finders checklist.
Communicating without speech
Communicating without speech is difficult. People who do not speak are at a disadvantage in a speaking
world. It can be confusing and frustrating when messages cannot be given effectively. This is frustrating
for both the non-speaking person and their communication partner.
Often a non-speaking person will have many thoughts they wish to communicate. How do they get these
thoughts out?
When a person is not able to speak, others often make judgements about their competence, potential,
and ability to think and learn.
A person who does not speak will quickly learn that some things are easy to communicate (e.g. reaching
for the TV remote to suggest you want to change the channel). They also learn that some things are hard
to communicate (e.g. that the TV show reminds you of a family member who is gone).
What types of AAC are often used?
AAC incorporates all the tools and strategies a person can use to communicate, when they are not able
to speak. Often we break them into 2 groups: Unaided and Aided AAC.
1. Unaided AAC – or AAC that does not require a physical aid or tool.
Facial expressions
Body language
Gestures
Sign language
2. Aided AAC – or AAC that uses tools or materials.
Symbol boards
Choice cards
Communication books
PODD books
Keyboards and alphabet charts
Speech-generating devices or communication devices
Multimodal communicators
Many people who cannot speak but use AAC are multimodal communicators. This means they have
multiple ways to communicate their messages. As well as AAC, they might use vocalizations, word
approximations, and maybe some gesture and sign language. Many people show photos from their
camera roll to add to what they are saying. All different methods of communication should be valued
and respected. Different communication still tells us something!
Even people with some spoken communication, may benefit from AAC. If speech is limited, AAC can
help. It can give a person more words and language. They may communicate far more with AAC than
they can with speech alone.
The term communication strategy was introduced by Selinker in 1972,[4] and the first systematic
analysis of communication strategies was made by Varadi in 1973.[5][6] There were various other
studies in the 1970s, but the real boom in communication strategy scholarship came in the 1980s. This
decade saw a flurry of papers describing and analyzing communication strategies, and saw Ellen
Bialystok link communication strategies to her general theory of second-language acquisition.[6] There
was more activity in the 1990s with a collection of papers by Kasper and Kellerman[7] and a review
article by Dörnyei and Scott,[8] but there has been relatively little research on the subject since then.[6]
Definition of strategic communication
Strategic communication refers to policy-making and guidance for consistent information activity within
an organization and between organizations. Equivalent business management terms are: integrated
(marketing) communication, organizational communication, corporate communication, institutional
communication, etc. (see paragraph on 'Commercial Application' below).
In the U.S. government context, strategic communication has been defined as "Focused United States
Government efforts to understand and engage key audiences to create, strengthen, or preserve
conditions favorable for the advancement of United States Government interests, policies, and
objectives through the use of coordinated programs, plans, themes, messages, and products
synchronized with the actions of all instruments of national power."[1]
Strategic communication management could be defined as the systematic planning and realization of
information flow, communication, media development and image care in a long-term horizon. It conveys
deliberate message(s) through the most suitable media to the designated audience(s) at the appropriate
time to contribute to and achieve the desired long-term effect. Communication management is process
creation. It has to bring three factors into balance: the message(s), the media channel(s) and the
audience(s).[2]
An alternative view of strategic communication is offered by Steve Tatham of the UK Defence Academy.
He argues that whilst it is desirable to bound and coordinate communications together - particularly
from governments or the military - it should be regarded in a much more fundamental manner than
simply process. The 'informational effect' should be placed at the very epi-centre of command and that
all action must be calibrated against that effect - including the evaluation of 2nd and 3rd order effects.
This is, he argues, proper Strategic Communication (communication singular — an abstract noun) whilst
the actual process of communicating (which include Target Audience Analysis, evaluation of conduits,
measurements of effect etc.) — is Strategic Communications (plural).[3]
Communication is strategic when it is completely consistent with the organisation mission, vision, values
and when it is able to enhance the strategic positioning and competitiveness between their competitors.
It is important to understand the concept of communication strategy, it should be seen from the
organization's perspective and no one else beside them. As a result of this communication, strategic
communication should follow ‘The nature of organisational communication in general, and strategic
communication in particular, is defined as the purposeful use of communication by an organisation to
fulfill its mission’ stated by (Hallahan et al., 2007). Therefore, the Strategic Communications Framework
should be lay out to aim the objectives of communicating to the audience/organisation. The deliberate
application of the specific content will help achieve the business goal clearly. While communication is
something that does happen in the organisation, businesses that take steps to implement sound
strategies impacting the effectiveness of their business communications can achieve measurable results.
According to Mulhern(2009), Technological advancement have been a huge factor in business meaning
that information can be communicated through many diverse channels and media like the internet and
through ads. Technology have been rapidly growing throughout the year pretty fast, accelerating
communication that allow customers to connect and communicate with others. This will make it easier
for them to reach to each other in a traditional communication way that suit the demand of their needs.
‘These changes mean that marketers are in a far more challenging competitive environment in
attempting to fulfil customers wants and needs, while simultaneously seeking to develop long-term
relationships’( Mulhern, 2009). Having changes in communication will help communication goals,
organisation, and communication channels. This will have an effect of measuring the effectiveness of the
communication tactics used in a business for their audience. To start a business no matter how small it
is, communication strategy should be a goal to start with and it will indicate the future of the business. A
business that communicate with their employees about benefit options will have increased the level of
trust between them.
