AAC DEVICES &

INVENTIONS
GROUP 1:
TONI BRESHEARS, CHRISTINA CASAS, DOLORES COLLINS
& MICHELLE HALTER

EDUU 677
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

● AAC is any method of communicating without the use

of conventional speech.
● Used by individuals who cannot effectively use
traditional speech to communicate.
● AAC systems compensate for a lack of speech or
replace unintelligible speech.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

● Two types of systems:

○ Unaided AAC systems only rely on the user’s abilities and body.
They include, but are not limited to, gestures, body language,
facial expressions, and sign language.
○ Aided AAC systems require the use of some type of device or tool.
Aided AAC systems can be no-tech, low-tech or high tech.
Examples of aided systems include a pencil and paper, picture
exchanges and computers and electronic devices.
AAC - Low Tech to High Tech Devices
Speech Generating Devices (SGD)

● Speech Generating Devices are a type of aided AAC

system.
● SGDs are portable, electronic devices that use
digitized or synthesized speech.
● One of the most widely used systems by children with
autism.
Speech Generating Devices (SGD)

● The devices may be icon- or text-based, and can be

controlled by such things as hands, eye gaze and
switches.
PECS

• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an applied

behavior analysis (ABA) program that is modified and designed
for early nonverbal symbolic communication training (Vicker,
2002).
• The program was developed by Lori Frost, a speech and
language pathologist, and Dr. Andrew Bondy in 1984.
 PECS
• PECS was first used for individuals with autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) to help them be able to communicate
more effectively with the use of pictures, but has not
been used worldwide with learners of all ages who have
various physical, cognitive, and communication
challenges (Picture Exchange Communication, n.d.).
• There are six phases of PECS
The Six Phases of PECS

• Phase 1: How to Communicate - In this phase, individuals

are learning how to exchange single pictures to convey
what they want.
 The Six Phases of PECS

• Phase 2: Distance and Persistence - In this phase,

individuals are becoming more persistent with
exchanging single pictures for what they want and need
in different environments and with different individuals.
The Six Phases of PECS

• Phase 3: Picture Discrimination - In this phase, individuals

use two cards to make choices of what they want and the
PECS are stored in an easy to store and remove binder.
The Six Phases of PECS

• Phase 4: Sentence Structure - In this phase, individuals are

learning how to form sentences with an already added “I
want” statement on a Sentence Strip and the individual
chooses a picture to complete the sentence of what he
or she wants.
The Six Phases of PECS

• Phase 5: Responsive Requesting - In this phase, individuals

begin to answer questions regarding what they want
using the pictures and reinforcing the “I want” statement
to respond.
The Six Phases of PECS

• Phase 6: Commenting - In this phase, individuals answer a

variety of questions using the statements “I hear”, “It is a”,
“I see”, “I feel”, etc. with the use of a Sentence Strip.
Getting Started Using PECS

Published on August 16,

2015 by PECS
Demonstration Using PECS

Published on August 22,

2013 by Racker
 Proloquo2Go and Proloquo4Text

• SGD that are ACC apps. Proloquo2Go

and Proloquo4Text can be used with
iPad, iPhone, and iPad Touch devices.
• These apps provide a “voice” for
individuals who have difficulty speaking
for themselves.
• These apps provide support for parents,
From https://prmac.com/release-id-
teachers, and therapists. 81164.htm
Proloquo2Go and Proloquo4Text

• Proloquo2Go utilizes visual supports that can be

used to support at range of receptive and
expressive communication functions.
• The design helps promote growth in
communication skills. it also fosters language
development through research-based
vocabularies.
Proloquo2Go and Proloquo4Text

• The symbols set utilized in Proloquo2Go and

Proloquo4Text is called SymbolStix, which is
also utilized by https://www.n2y.com/ and the
Unique Learning System.
• The pictures used are recognizable for their ease
of use, clarity and consistency.
Proloquo2Go and Proloquo4Text

Testimony from a family that

uses Proloquo2Go published by
AssistiveWare on Jan 21, 2012
LAMP Words for Life
A full vocabulary AAC language app for iPad
● Created to use in conjunction with Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP), a
proven-therapeutic approach that uses consistent motor plans for accessing vocabulary.

Features include:

● One Motor Pattern per Word which allows for

the development of quick effortless
communication
● Vocabulary Builder shows only the targeted
words to limit distractions and increase success.
● Word Finder shows the location where a word
is stored
LAMP Words for Life
What is LAMP?
● A therapeutic approach using motor learning principles and a voice output
communication aid to give non-verbal individuals with autism and other
developmental disabilities a method to develop independent and spontaneous
communication

What makes LAMP unique?

● Interventions currently in use with individuals with autism tend to focus on the
perceived strengths associated with autism such as visual learning and the desire
for structure. While LAMP utilizes these strengths, it also addresses core deficits
affecting language delay such as impaired motor skills, engagement, and auditory
and sensory processing to improve spontaneous, generative communication.
Touch Chat
● Words, phrases and messages are spoken with a built-in voice synthesizer or by playing recorded
message.
● Various English and Spanish voices are available so users can choose a voice that fits their
personality.
● Unique feature including ability to tilt the device to make the message expand to fill the screen in
large letters so a person can communicate silently or in a noisy environment.
Tobii Dynavox

Indi 7
all-in-one AAC tablet for communicators on the go

• The Tobii Dynavox is a Speech Generating Device that is a designated

communication device.
• The device is designed for durability and has an intuitive interface with
a water-resistant design.
• Dynavox devices range from low tech to high tech, meeting the vast
needs of learners. The different devices can be customized based on
student needs, including eye gaze devices, and switches.
 Tobii Dynavox

● Tobii Dynavox has helped many individuals

with disabilities such as aphasia, autism,
cerebral palsy, ALS, muscular dystrophy,
Rett syndrome, and spinal cord injuries.

● Broadmaker is also a part of the Tobii

Dynavox, and uses Picture Communication
Symbols in both the Broadmaker software
line and the Tobii Dynavox speech
I-12+ generating devices.
Speech generating device with the world's
#1 eye tracker
Tobii Dynavox

Testimony: Ava’s Story

How the Tobii Dynavox has made a
difference in one child’s life.
Published by Tobii Dynavox on
October 27, 2017
 References

AAC Continuum - nssedintegratedtech. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2019, from

https://sites.google.com/a/nssed.org/nssedintegratedtech/resources/communication/aac-continuum

Ganz, J.B., Earles-Vollrath, T.L., Heath, A.K., Parker, R.I., Rispoli, M.J., & Duran, J.B.

(2012). A meta-analysis of single case research studies on aided augmentative

and alternative communication systems with individuals with autism spectrum

disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 60-74.

DOI:10.1007/s10803-011-1212-2
 References

Hopf, R. (2016). The augmentative/ alternative communication spectrum. The

Reporter, 21 (11). Retrieved from

https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/the-augmentative-alternative-

communication-spectrum.

I-12. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tobiidynavox.com/devices/eye-gaze-devices/i-12-

communicator/?MarketPopupClicked=true

LAMP Retrieved from https://aacapps.com/what-is-lamp

 References

Lofland, K. (2018). Should all nonverbal young children with Autism immediately have ACC

taught to them? The Reporter 22 (12). Retrieved on January 20, 2019, from

https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/should-all-nonverbal-young-children-with-autism-immediately-have-

aac-taught-to-them

McCleery, J., Dr. (2015, August 06). Getting Started with Using PECS. Retrieved from

https://youtu.be/Hs-412lhXb0
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)® |. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pecsusa.com/pecs/

Racker. (2013, August 22). PECs video. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/HGtZNy0PcVw

 References
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.nationalautismresources.com/the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs/

Tobii Dynavox Retrieved from https://www.tobiidynavox.com

Touch Chat Retrieved from https://touchchatapp.com/apps

Vicker, B. (2010). Successfully using PECS with children with ASD. The Reporter, 15(3). Retrieved January 20,

2019, from http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/Successfully-Using-PECS