Not One-Size-Fits-All
I was recently reminded that AAC has almost become synonymous with a ‘tablet and communication app’. At least for the broader public. When case managers and team members have actually heard of AAC, this is often what they envision. But AAC is NOT one-size-fits-all (or even one-size-fits-most).
People with communication disabilities are so often assumed to be not capable. So much so, many are not given real opportunities to learn and develop reliable ways of communicating. Every year, I still find myself consulting with the teams of developmentally disabled adults who have no reliable means of communicating. Having access to a robust communication system can be life changing. Being able to read and spell opens so many doors! And so, we talk a lot about the importance of robust communication systems and literacy skills for AAC users.
Robust Communication Systems
A robust communication system includes a large, flexible vocabulary. It supports sentence construction. It offers access to grammar and morphology. It provides access to the full alphabet. It allows the person to say anything they want using the words they want to use.
As a speech-language pathologist and AAC professional, I want everyone to be able to fully express all their thoughts, feelings, ideas, stories, and more! On a deeper level, I never want to be the obstacle preventing them from reaching their full potential. I’m always keeping an eye out for the most robust system possible.
The reality though is that not every non-speaking/non-verbal person will use robust communication systems. They will not all learn to read and spell. Even if provided with appropriate opportunities and support.
Some will engage with communication partners through proximity, body language, and vocalizations. With time spent together.
Some will use switches for cause and effect leisure activities.
Some will use simple voice output devices with prerecorded messages for engagement.
Some will use eye gaze/eye pointing to make choices between two presented options.
There is an entire range of possibilities from no-tech options to high-tech speech-generating devices.
Maybe We Don’t Get to Robust
A program administrator of a developmentally disabled adult recently challenged me. They mentioned several communication systems that had been tried over the years. Including a tablet with a communication app. All had “failed”. What different options did I have to offer?
My job is to gather information and observe. To take cues from the disabled person themself. To try different options and see how they respond. To consider the environment and support available in their daily life. My job is to listen with my eyes and my ears. To truly see the person in front of me. Not a version we wish them to be. Nor a version we assume them to be.
An important place to start is recognizing how the person is attempting to communicate NOW. What are they doing now to engage with their environment and communication partners? How can we build on those skills and actions to improve their quality of life? To increase their participation? To support what they are already doing in order to make that communication more effective and efficient? That might mean we do not jump into a robust communication system. And that’s okay.
We can slowly build and expand on their “now communication”. As long as the disabled person is open to the changes and able to be successful. And as long as we have skilled (and supported) communication partners. Pushing too far, or too fast, can result in abandonment.
We must always pause to truly see the person in front of us.
Related Resource
- Dr. Sheridan Forster explores the idea of ‘now communication’ in this article in the summer 2019 issue of AGOSI In Focus. Read NOW communication (available as a PDF linked on Dr. Forster’s website)
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