According to the American Speech,
Language & Hearing Association (ASHA), sixty percent of the
individuals serviced by speech-language pathologists are considered
'nonverbal' or unable to adequately express themselves. Fortunately,
there are well over 100 'augmentative communication' products
currently available to help these people overcome their disability.
UNfortunately,
this makes for a daunting task of matching THE most appropriate
product to the specific needs of the individual. Far too often,
inappropriate systems are purchased simply because the consumer was
not aware of all the options available.
As a speech-language pathologist working with
assistive technologly since 1985, I had a simple AppleWorks database
of all the augmentative communication systems that I knew of. I
expanded and refined it over the years. I talked about my database at
many conferences and workshops. Everyone I talked to wanted a copy!
Then I was approached by Cindy George who was working on a federal
grant for a related topic. As we brainstormed, we realized that we
could make this database a "real" product - one that would stand
alone (without AppleWorks or FileMakerPro) and be very easy to use.
Together, we designed what's now known as Needs First: AugCom System
Search Tool. It's was skillfully programmed by Janet Peters and Alan
Torborg. The Windows version has been available since the Spring of
1997.
We are acutely aware of the fact that NOTHING can
replace the skill, experience and intuition of a qualified augcom
assessment team. But, a "tool" like Needs First can make the
assessment process easier and probably even more comprehensive. Even
the most qualified assessors would find it difficult to keep abreast
of ALL the augcom systems - with their myriad of features. Needs
First simply eliminates the tendious, time consuming task of weeding
through stacks of catalogs to find the potentially "ideal" augcom
system. Still, the assessor must know what he or she is looking for.
Needs First is a database which allows the user to systematically
identify augcom systems according to the features they
possess.
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Specifically, Needs First is an interactive
database program designed to facilitate the "search" process. Over
135 commercially available augmentative communication systems have
been included in Needs First
'98. Each system has been categorized
according to 48 distinguishing features in the areas of access (input
and output), selection choice and process, rate enhancement options,
size and price. The user simply indicates the needs of the non-verbal
individual by answering simple questions or by filling out a
checklist. The program then offers a compilation of augmentative
communication systems with features which match those needs. The user
is provided with manufacturer information, a digitized photograph and
a detailed list of matching features. The program also provides
print-outs of search results, ideal for augcom assessment reports.
You can save "searches" for later recall and modification. It also
has an on-line glossary of over 50 augmentative communication
terms.
- It is important to note that
Needs
First is a
TOOL in the assessment process.
- It is NOT
prescriptive.
- It makes no claims that one
system is better than another. Rather, it objectively lists which
systems might be appropriate according to the information you
provide.
Let's walk through the
process involved in 'Conducting a Search:'
- At the Title page, select the Conduct a Search button.
- Fill in the Identifying Information page with the name
and date of birth of the individual for whom you are conducting
the search.
- Select either the Long Form button or the Short
Form button.
- The Long Form search will present you with a series of
48 easy-to-understand questions which are designed to help you
identify the needs of your client. You simply answer each question
by clicking on the appropriate answer (usually yes or no). The
Long Form is ideal for individuals unfamiliar with all the
related augmentative communication terms. See
sample questions.
- The Short Form search will present you with an
on-screen checklist form. It allows you to quickly indicate which
features your client needs. The Short Form is designed for
people already familiar with the available features of
augmentative communication systems. See
layout of Short Form checklist.
- After you've either answered all the Long Form
questions or filled out the Short Form checklist, the
program compiles a list of all the augmentative communication
systems which have features which meets the identified needs of
your client.
- The search results provide the following information on each
appropriate system:
- name of the augmentative communication system;
- manufacturer's name, address and phone number;
- listing of features that match your client's needs.
- With a click of the mouse, you can generate a printout of this
information, ideal for assessment reports.
After the Needs First search, you are to review the
results, refer to corresponding catalogs for more specific
information, then contact the vendors of the systems for which you'd
like to see a demonstration or arrange a trial period.
Needs First also has features to save 'searches' for later
recall and modification.
There is also a way to update the database of systems. You can
easily add, delete or modify systems as the market changes.
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Long Form Search
Questions
Here are several samples of questions from the
Long Form Search:
- Does the individual have the manual dexterity
and literacy skills necessary to use a standard keyboard?
- Does this individual need a membrane keyboard
device which provides larger or smaller key selection areas and
definable keys?
- Does this individual need a single switch(es)
to access a system because of severe physical limitations?
- Does this individual need digitized speech for
pre-recorded communication phrases using a realistic voice?
- Does this individual need text-to-speech which
allow unlimited, flexible speech output in the form of type and
talk capabilities?
- Does this individual need to have his
selection choices presented as auditory prompts?
- Does this individual need a system with
abbreviation/expansion which would speed up text entry by
recognizing abbreviations and expanding them into full sentences
or phrases (i.e. MNB=my name is Barb)?
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Short Form Checklist
Here is the layout of the Short Form along with a
few sample items (NOTE: This is a sample listing of the items
included in the Short Form. It does NOT represent the form, in its
entirety as it appears in the Needs First program).
ACCESS
CONSIDERATIONS
- Input Options
- standard keyboard touch screen
switch
- Output Options
- digitized speech LCD display
paper
printout
SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
- Choice Options
- photographs symbols letters
- Method Options
- direct selection scanning
- Speech Output Capabilities
- unlimited less than 20 phrases
- Rate Enhancement Features
- word prediction abbreviation/expansion
SIZE CONSIDERATIONS
PRICE CONSIDERATIONS
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