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Kelly Fonner
2/23/2015 3:53 PM
YAACK (Augmentative and Alternative Communication Connecting Young Kids) is a website dedicated to information gathered by Ruth Ballinger for a Master's Project at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Content on AAC is organized in 3 main sections. 1) How to get started:gives background on AAC, lists specific organizations that provide support and assistance to children with AAC needs and their families, and offers suggestions on how to create and maintain an effective AAC team. 2) Choosing an AAC system covers the AAC assessment, describes characteristics of and issues relating to the different AAC systems and devices that are in use today, and includes information on how to obtain a device 3) Teaching offers both general tips as well as specific methods and techniques that have proven successful in teaching AAC and AAC-related skills to infants, toddlers and young children with different communication needs. http://aac.unl.edu/yaack/index.html Something to recognize prior to visiting this website, but it shouldn't stop you from checking it out, is that the original date of the website is 1999 - however, some content has been updated since that original date. Just watch that some of the newer issues that impact the field of AAC, such as iPad/Tablets as a base tool, may not be addressed. **One of the most valued resources at this site is the article mentioned in the title of this posting - Does AAC impede natural speech?and other fears. This table includes a listing of these common fears that are expressed by parents and educators when the idea of bringing in an AAC tool is introduced. Especially the biggest myth, that children will never develop speech - this has been disproved in several research projects over the years, and yet, like any misunderstood topic, people continue to think that something that actually promotes development, does the opposite. Here are some of the research articles that debunk the myth. Along with the facts and practical solutions that go along with other myths such as -Introducing AAC reduces motivation for speech. (not true) -A young child is not ready for AAC. (not true) -A child with severe cognitive deficits cannot learn to use an AAC system. (not true) -AAC makes a child look abnormal (not true) These and other myths are documented with the research article citation, the facts from the research, and the practical solutions from that research along with links to other parts of the website that may add more resources for that solution. This page is downloaded for your here, but also if you link to the webpage here, you will be hyperlinked throughout the website to the citations for the research articles. http://aac.unl.edu/yaack/b2.html
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0 repliesNice! Another good synthesis on this topic is: Millar, D. C., Light, J. C., & Schlosser, R. W. (2006). The impact of augmentative and alternative communication intervention on the speech production of individuals with developmental disabilities: A research review. Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research, 49(2), 248-264.
Samuel Sennott - 3/12/2015
0 likes0 repliesIn an article on tangible symbol systems by myself and Philip Schweigert published in the AAC Journal in 2000, we addressed the effect of AAC on speech development. Our data showed that if anything, learning to use an AAC system had a facilitate effect. I will post this article.
charity.rowland@gmail.com - 2/25/2015
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He knows how to get me to do something for him. He uses some of the kinds of behaviors below to communicate:
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Only does this when prompted or encouraged to do so. Only does this in one or two contexts or with one person.
Each question you will see is related to a certain message that your child might be able to express using a variety of behaviors. Read the question and decide whether your child is able to express the message described using any of the listed behaviors. If the answer is YES, then you must also decide whether your child has mastered the use of each behavior or whether it is still at an emerging stage. Check either the mastered or emerging box next to any behaviors your child uses to express the message. Use the following definitions to decide whether a behavior is mastered or emerging
