Notable
NewsNotable
News
- Prentke Romiche Company offers two new links describing projects that they are currently involved with: The first site, http://www.prentrom.com/newsrelease/lam.html describes an AAC Language Activity Monitoring collaboration with University of Pittsburgh. PRC recently received notification of feasibility study funding from NIH. This is generating lots of interest and is certain to impact AAC clinical intervention, outcomes measurement, and research. The second site, http://www.prentrom.com/newsrelease/distanc.html describes an internet based virtual classroom synchronous training initiative. This was introduced at CSUN with an actual compter lab demonstration.
Tech/TALK and Tech/Speak: New Devices Available through Mayer Johnson. These lightweight, durable, water-resistant devices come with either 8 or 32 message areas. Both offer multiple levels which expand the number of recordable (digitized) phrases available to the user. Only 2 pounds and made of durable impact-resistant plastic, these device sell for $395-$645, depending on model. Go to http://www.mayer-johnson.com for more information.
SuperHawk PLUS
GUS! Software Demo Available on CD. Gus Communications, Inc. now has a CD available with demos of all their AAC and computer access software (Gus! Multimedia Speech System, Access Keyboard, Word Predication, Scanning cursor, Dwell Cursor, Symbol set). It also contains "LIVE" demonstration tutorials. The CD is available free of charge. Request a copy by e-mailing contact@augcomm.com, visiting their website at http://www.gusinc.com or by phoning 360-715-8580.
New "SlideTalk" AAC Software. Developed and distributed by New Brunswick East Seal March of Dimes, SlideTalk is a software program that has been developed to enable persons with severe disabilities to communicate with the help of a computer. The software operates similarly to a slide projector but it includes multimedia capabilities to react when the use selects a slide. "Only one image is displayed on the screen at a time." This simple comcept sets SlideTalk apart from most other picture based computer communication systems. For more information on SlideTalk, e-mail NBEaster Seal March of Dimes at contact@augcomm.com or got to their website at http://www.discribe.ca/crcd/slide1.htm.
New Features on the DynaVox. The popular DynaVox has been retooled a bit. It is now referred to as DynaVox 3100 and has a slightly larger, much crisper screen. Using the new DynaVox 3100 in bright sunlight is less of a problem. It has a sleeker, narrower shape and is slightly less in weight. Check out the other new features at Sentient Systems Technology.
Minspeak verses single meaning pictures. Barry Romich of Prentke Romich Company and Bernard Spiegel of the University of Toledo have authored a (unpublished?) paper providing their pedagogic justification of the Minspeak system used in all PRC devices. It reads, " ...research and outcomes studies are reasonably consistent and suggest that the general ordering of AAC methods by performance ... would have Minspeak as the best ..." For more information on the research presented in this paper, e-mail Mr. Romich for a copy.
Ten Tips to Funding Success is being offered, free of charge, from Sentient Systems Technology. The informational literature covers possible funding sources to organizing the proper paperwork. Tilden Bennet, SST president, says "We've found that funding is available for augmentative communication devices. But getting that funding is sometimes complex. We see this brochure as a first step to help and encourage people who need funding for a communication solution."
Sentient Bought. Sentient Systems Technology, which manufacturers the popular DynaVox and DynaMyte was acquired by Sunrise Medical. Sunrise Medical is a DMG supplier (durable medical goods) and the first of its kind to enter the augmentative communication market. Sentient has indicated that this move will greatly enhance its international marketing. However, they will operate as a free-standing division of Sunrise Medical and the operation of their existing sales force will not change as a result of the buy-out. Go to SST's web site for information about their products and service.
PRC and dynamic display?!?!?!? Yup. Prentke Romich Company announced its release of Vanguard during the ASHA conference last November. It is a dedicated ACC device with dynamic display meaning that the pictures automatically change depending upon the user's selection. Vanguard combines a 'core vocabulary area' which uses the static MinSpeak application and an 'activity row' which changes to offer the user an extended vocabulary of words used less often. For more information about Vanguard, go to PRC's web site at www.prentrom.com.
Assessment, Implementation, Applications
Laureate announces Tiger Tales. This is a CD-based program (cross-platform) which encourages users to express themselves in a variety of situations. Tiger's Tale was originally designed to provide individuals with fluency disorders a fun environment to "practice" their speech production. However, it is also an excellent tool to encourage AAC users to "speak" via their devices. Throughout the program "Tiger" has lost his voice. With the gentle prompting from his animated friends, he is given as many as 14 opportunities to speak. When such opportunities arise, a "record" button becomes active on the screen. Selecting it opens the computer's microphone so that the users' "speech" is recorded. An AAC user would then have to generate an appropriate response through his/her voice-output device. After all the scenes are visited, Tiger sits down and watches a movie of his adventures - with his voice (the user's AAC 'voice') playedback in corresponding sequence! It's very fun and motivating. For more information, contact Laureate Learning Systems at 800-562-6801 or http://www.laureatelearning.com
Californians with Speech Disabilities Now Have a Telephone Service. If you are a Californian with a speech disability or are an AAC user, you can now use a new, free telephone assistance service 24 hours a day. This service, called Speech-to-Speech, provides human voicers for people who have difficulty being understood by the public on the telephone. You can dial 800-854-7784 to reach a patient, trained operator who is familiar with many speech patterns and has acute hearing. This operator makes telephone calls for you and repeats your words exactly. Speech-to-Speech is the only way for many people to telephone others not accustomed to their speech or speech output systems. You can try out Speech-to-Speech from inside or outside California by calling 800-854-7784 and asking for Dr. Bob Segalman in the Outreach Office.
Early Exposure: "Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and assistive technology can be used for children as young as 6 months of age," according to Pati King-DeBaun. This was the topic of a recent article in ADVANCE for Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists. For more information, contact the publishers at contact@augcomm.com or Ms. King-DeBaun at contact@augcomm.com.
AAC Assessment Worksheet Available. An 8 page 'worksheet' was developed by Barb Adams to help organize the process of information gathering that is essential for a comprehensive AAC assessment. It is largely based on the reporting process as determined by New York State Medicaid AAC Evaluation Structure. Users of this Assessment Worksheet can use it "as is" or feel free to edit it to fit their specific assessment process. You can have this form sent to you (either through regular post or as an e-mail attachment) by e-mailing your request to contact@augcomm.com.
Improving Natural Speech is the title of the article. The first sentence is "The use of augmentative and alternative communication (ACC) devices improves speech in children with developmental disabilities ... according to a 1997 study by researches at Illinois State University in Normal." Although most clinicians in the field already knew this, this recent article in Advance for Speech-Language Pathologist & Audiologists (Feb.16,1998, Vol.8, No.7) provides written proof. It makes for an excellent handout to ambivolent parents about to embark on augmentative communication for their child. For them, this article is wonderful re-assurance that the use of an ACC device doesn't mean that they're "giving up on speech development." For re-prints, contact 610-265-7812 or e-mail your request directly to the publisher.
Specialty Recognition and/or Credentialing and Certification. USSAAC (United States Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication) is conducting a survey amongst its members on the issue. Basically, they are interested in developing an "official" position. Should there be some type of acknowledgement that one possesses competencies in specific knowledge and skills in the area of AAC? Would this benefit the consumer? Check back here for results of their survey. If anyone has an opinion they wish to express here, e-mail it to us and we'll consider posting it.
PECS. We've been hearing lots of positive things about the Picture Exchange Communication System authored by Pyramid Educational Consultants. It is a step-by-step, systematic approach to developing communicative intent and the notion of symbolic representation. Such prerequisitic skills are necessary for successful implementation of any ACC system. The PECS manual is written for parents and other non-professionals to easily understand. For more information on PECS, visit their website at www.pecs.com.
We would like to provide a forum for users of ACC to express their thoughts, experiences and opinions. We invite anyone to send us letters, essays, or notes which would help us all understand "what it's like."
The best forum we've found where AAC users share their experiences, is in a publication called Communicating Together, an affiliation of ISAAC (International Society of Augmentative & Alternative Communication). On-line issues can be obtained at http://www.ahs.uwo.ca/orcn/assoc/comtog/comtog.html
CAMA Tours (Communication Aids Manufacturers Association). Single day, multi-sessions workshops conducted throughout the country. Contact: 800-441-CAMA or http://www.aacproducts.org
October 22-24, 1998. Closing the Gap. Minneapolis, MN. Contact 507-248-3294.
October 30-31, 1998. 19th Annual Southeast AAC Conference. Birmingham, AL. Contact 205-251-0165.
November 13, 1998. The Mid-Atlantic Augmentative & Alternative Communication Conference. Timonium, MD. Contact 410-823-3350.
November 19-22, 1998. ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) Annual Convention. San Antonio, TX. Contact 800-638-6868.
March 16-20, 1999. 14th Annual Technology for Persons with Disabilities Conference, sponsored by CSUN: California State University at Northridge.
Communicating Together, an affiliation of ISAAC (International Society of Augmentative & Alternative Communication), offers experiences of AAC users. On-line issues can be obtained at http://www.ahs.uwo.ca/orcn/assoc/comtog/comtog.html
AAC: The Official Journal of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication is now offering a CD which contains the entire contents of Volumes 1-13 of the journal. Send e-mail to contact@augcomm.com for more information or to request the CD.
AAC titles published by Brookes Publishing http://www.pbrookes.com/cgiwrap/~pbrookes/search.cgi
Southeast Augmentative Communication Publications Clinicial Series presents resource books for alternative and augmentative communication. The resource books are designed for teachers, clinicians, therapists, and parents working with AAC in early childhood settings. http://www.edc.org/FSC/NCIP/EC_SoutheastAugment.htm
Welcome to My Preschool: Communicating with Technology is a training video featuring an integrated preschool classroom where students with disabilities participate in the typical curriculum through the use of AAC and assistive technology. http://www.edc.org/FSC/NCIP/Video_EC.html
Recently Published Books on AAC, a list compiled by David Beukelman, on the website from the University of Nebraska: Lincoln.
ACC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication is published quarterly by the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC). 416-385-0351 or the ISAAC website at www.isaac-online.org.
ASHA Database from Absearch. Search citations for ALL articles published in ASHA journals since 1945. This database is available on CD-ROM and sells for $99. 800-867-1877.
Closing the Gap. An organization that offers a bi-monthly newspaper with a variety of articles, press releases and essays on the topic of assistive technology. They also publish an annual resource guide of AT products. 507-248-3294.
The 1996 Guide to ACC Devices is now available through USSAAC at a discounted price of $10. This informative, albeit dated, guide (oversized chart-like book) was developed by the folks at Applied Science & Engineering Labratories, A.I. duPont Institute. To order, contact USSAAC at 847-869-2122 or by e-mail.
Singular Publications has a website (www.singpub.com/speech/augcom/) with direct links to their titles on augmentative communication.
SpeakUp! is the official newsletter of the United States Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication. 847-869-2122.