What is AAC? Why it is important for children with Autism?

-

Autism is a complex neurological disorder, it affects person’s ability to communicate, difficulties in social interaction and repetitive behaviors. It's called as autism spectrum disorder as it reflects the wide variation in challenges and strengths possessed by each person with autism. 
Difficulties with language and communication are a key feature in the discussion on autism.  Most of the children in spectrum remain non-verbal and some are verbal.  Verbal children can repeat words or talk about their favorite cartoons, but they also struggle to use their vocabulary for communicating with others.
This makes it very important to provide an alternative method of communication for children with autism. 

AAC is augmentative alternative communication. It includes all forms of communication other than oral speech that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants and ideas.  AAC systems are categorised into aided and unaided systems.  Unaided AAC includes facilitated communication and sign language.  Aided AAC system includes communication boards, picture exchange communication systems PECS, mobile devices and voice output communication such as speech generating devices. 

Different forms of AAC that are extensively used for children with autism sign language, PECS and assistive technology devices. 

PECS is designed to teach functional communication skills with an initial focus on spontaneous communication. It has been and continues to be implemented in a variety of settings and context (home, school, community) so users have the skills to communicate their wants and needs. PECS does not require complex or expensive material since it uses picture symbols as modality. Research has shown that many children using PECS also begins developing speech. 

Avaz is an AAC app for autism. Avaz is designed with a focus to make speech therapy more effective, develop the child’s language and improve his indent to communicate. Avaz uses picture, symbols and high-quality voice synthesis to help users create messages and develop language skills. Avaz seamlessly integrates a powerful keyboard to help users transitioning to text. Avaz can be used for non verbal and verbal kids to improve their communication skills,  build more compression skills and to teach academics. 

In this post you can read how I developed communication skills using PECS and Avaz for my son.

http://smrithyrajesh.blogspot.in/2017/05/how-i-developed-communication-skills-in.html

 Smrithy

Comments

  1. sowbagya30 January 2018 at 22:19

    Your methodical usage of AAC is commendable.Thanks for elaboration of different AAC techniques.Personally Avaz is user friendly.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Smrithy Rajesh31 January 2018 at 05:42

    Thank you so much for the kind words!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Smrithy Rajesh31 January 2018 at 05:43

    Thank you so much for the kind words!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How i taught my son to type - Explained Step by Step

-
Image
    My son had great difficulty with tripod grip and he was not able to write after his Early Intervention programs.so when he was 8 years old I decided to teach him typing and I taught him step by step. After that I started sharing that videos to help other kids.Lots of parents contacted me for the step by step procedure of typing and so again I am posting it for them. All these steps I did and it helped my son to learn.I hope it will help other kids too. Most important things is CONSISTENCY. We should do step by step consistently. Prerequisites of typing Step 1: Pointing to alphabets in an alphabet chart with visual clues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af_xde-5coM&t Step 2: Find which is different from a strip of alphabets and sorting confusing alphabets like n and u,p and b,b and d. Most of our kids have confusion with alphabets like p and b,u and n….because of their visual discrimination difficulties. https://www.youtube.com/...
Read more

How I developed Communication skills in my Son – Advaith

-
Image
Advaith was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD when he was 2.4 years old. At that stage, he was non-verbal and would communicate by pulling my hand towards his desired objects. He was diagnosed with ASD at NIMHANS and doctors suggested ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis). They explained to me that for maximum benefit, the mother should partake with the therapist in the interventions for the child. We enrolled him for ABA when he was 2.5 years old. His therapist introduced sign language to him. As I was a co-therapist for him, at home also I started practising sign language for communication. After one month of ABA, he started communicating for his needs independently using signs -   music, book, carry…etc. He started vocalising with first sounds while communicating. His therapist then asked me to fade signs and focus on sounds. So, we started to focus on words for communication. This put immense pressure on Advaith and the r...
Read more

How We Taught Cycling for Advaith

-
Image
Cycling is a good exercise and a leisure skill for our kids. Also, outdoor activities help them to reduce anxiety and stress. In this way of teaching, we don’t want to run behind the cycle because balancing wheels are supporting, and we can easily fade the supporting wheels to make the child independent in cycling. Consistent practice is very important to achieve this skill. Step 1 - Pedalling in forward direction We started with exercise cycle in OT class and in Gym for teaching him pedalling. Before he used to do backward pedalling. Initially we gave physical prompt to do forward pedalling (we were slightly pushing his knees in the forward direction) and practiced it consistently. After few weeks we started with kids bicycle with balancing wheels on both sides. (this should keep cycle up-straight- all rear wheels touching the ground.). At that time, we focused only on the pedalling in right direction. You can keep the cycle stationary and ask the child to pedal forward. ...
Read more