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Peggi McNairn, Ph.D., CCC/SLP, ATP
Education Service Center, Region XI
Ft. Worth, Texas
Email: pmcnairn@aol.com
Yvonne Smith, LPT, ATP
Arlington Independent School District
Arlington, Texas
Email: ysmith@dougdodgen.com
Selecting and organizing vocabulary and then designing pages
for AAC devices with dynamic displays can be a time-consuming,
labor-intensive task. Addressing the psycholinguistic needs of
the adult client adds to this already overwhelming task. In this
presentation, information on an adult-oriented, word-based
language program for dynamic screen communication devices will be
discussed. Initially designed for adults with aphasia, this
vocabulary format has proven to be equally successful with adults
with developmental delays.
Historically, dynamic display vocabulary programs have utilized
scripted dialogs for targeted communicative exchanges.
Unfortunately, for many adults, these prestored messages did not
convey exactly what they wanted to say or did not match their
internal language structures. Further, multiple pages with
numerous links were often challenging for those adults with
memory deficits. Ultimately, they would simply "get lost" in the
message map.
This presentation will demonstrate a vocabulary program that is
designed to overcome those limitations. Research on high
frequency vocabulary by individuals such as Beukelman, et. al.,
Fristoe and Lloyd, and Lasker, et.al. was used to identify
initial vocabulary and to serve as a framework. Additional
vocabulary obtained from research in nursing homes, senior
citizen centers, and independent living centers was added to this
framework. Once the core vocabulary set was identified, the issue
of how to map out the vocabulary was addressed. Initially, these
authors attempted to use a modified Fitzgerald key format with
multiple meaning icons, but quickly abandoned it when it proved
unsuccessful. Clients with aphasia and developmental delays had
difficulty recalling multiple abstract associations when multiple
meaning symbols were attempted. They also had difficulty
recalling certain parts of speech, such as prepositions,
conjunctions, and articles, resulting in telegraphic
utterances.
A template was designed that remains consistent throughout each
page. This consistency in design helps to facilitate motor
automaticity and reduces memory load. On the bottom row of each
page are links to parts of speech categories. Each link is also
color-coded to assist in developing visual memory skills.
The pages are designed so that each vocabulary word can be
accessed from any page with an average of 3 key strokes. The
total word count for this program is approximately 3504 words,
including derivatives. There are 36 screens programmed with the
option to expand to 75 screens.
The use of this adult-oriented, word-based program did not
remove or "cure" clients' language deficits. However, it did
decrease their frustration with communication and increase their
expressive output. The average mean length of utterance (MLU)
increased from 2 symbols/words ("Went doctor") to 6 symbol/word
combination (Because I went to the doctor.") As a result, the
clients and their families report an increase in interactive
communication attempts.
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