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I think the user’s preferences are most important. After that I think we need to consider what can be universally understood.

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https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2018.0007, feel free to contact me i
f you want full text

and another chapter here
https://www.academia.edu/37722092/Teaching_with_Augmentative_and_Alternative_Communication

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Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Speaking Autistic Adults: Overview and Recommendations | Autism in Adulthood

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In recent years, technologies used for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) have seen increasing development and availability. As a result, more and more autistic people are using AAC. With the increased use of AAC by autistic people, research on autism and AAC has also increased.

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Ill be a bystander for this chat and step aside while @attipscast moderates.. The SLPs with whom i work handle all the AAC. Some may disagree but I think you need to have the strong language background that you learn as an SLP to be effective in the area of AAC. @karenjan

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follow my aac using buddies @autismdoggirl and @derekthebard, my blog (anotherqueerautistic.wordpress.com) has a lot of aac content (you can select that topic area on the right if you don't want to wade through non aac stuff), and another aac user buddy of mine just published a peer reviewed article abt aac use in verbal autistic adults - see rhe journal autism in adulthood, author name alyssa hillary zisk. --@endeverstar

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oops sorry that anonymous one abt sound output was supposed to be signed by me @endeverstar *facepalm*

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for sound output, there needs to be vastly more bilingual accents available to support a variety of cultural backgrounds, we need programs that can accommodate african american vernacular english, and voices that are trans coded in pitch and tone. right now i use a voice designed to emulate a typical teenage boy bc it's the only mid range option, but I'm in my 30s so it makes me sound weirdly young.

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fc is valid! we need more user designed/implemented/evaluated research opportunities so we can demonstrate this to the skeptics. in the meantime, don't dismiss fc users and what they have to say. same re rpm. --@endeverstar

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there is no "should" here beyond what the individual prefers! i really value having a wide variety of options for how i communicate, so i like having pictures app/qwerty app/pen and paper/sign language/speech all available depending on my current abilities and the situation, other ppl might do better with using the same format across different situations (for example a picture book that matches their pucture app layout), it really varies person to person. --@endeverstar

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i have friends who use eye gaze, switch, and/or partner assist, and what i see them needing is flexibility - there are days or moments the tech option just isn't working as well that day, or they may have less motor control temporarily, and having an assistant during those times that know them well enough to discern meaning through yes/no questioning processes helps them participate when a switch or eye gaze isn't working out. they are showing me there are pros and cons to every access method, it's a matter of matching it to the user's current situation for best outcomes. --@endeverstar

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as a self-directed learner i have found it most helpful to get used to my symbols program by using it for a wide variety of needs, not just text to speech. i have used it to compose social media posts and even work on the novels I'm writing. and @autismdoggirl gave me the priceless tip early on to practice reading favorite books to myself, this shows clearly where the words are I'm going to be using the most and what fringe vocabulary i might want to add. i do rely more on muscle memory than word or symbol recognition so really just any excuse to practice pays it forward on time i can save later by having memorized where to find things. --@endeverstar

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the users' strengths, impairments, preferences, and goals! and always including flexibility for folks who want to use multiple communication methods (speech or various aac) --@endeverstar

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I think partner assisted scanning is so important in teaching the skill of both eye gaze and switch scanning. In partner assisted scanning you have the ability to use the "smart partner" in determining a response and then shape that response. I have tried to teach these skills without partner assisted scanning and it takes a lot longer and is more difficult. @pbuckingks

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I think partner assisted scanning is so important in teaching the skill of both eye gaze and switch scanning. In partner assisted scanning you have the ability to use the "smart partner" in determining a response and then shape that response. I have tried to teach these skills without partner assisted scanning and it takes a lot longer and is more difficult. @pbuckingks

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I work in the schools, so we have access to bring in the IEP team and include OT, PT, SLP, special education teacher, and general education teacher. I think these multiple perspectives are very important. I tell SLPs all the time not to place a switch or move a switch without bringing in the OT and PT. They have a different lens on when looking at this. @pbuckingks

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Eyegaze still has a way to go I believe due to the fact it’s almost impossible to use outside on a sunny day.
Plus add in the fact it’s extremely tiring to use. Switch scanning is a great use. It’s good to have both options available but seems to be sadly looked over in many cases as people opt for eyegaze technology

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Yes. Don't knock it until you try and move someone who is using it well on to high-tech. Its not just moving someones hand. We haven't developed a good understanding of subtle small arm/hand muscle control - and equally good mobile arm supports to support these movements. I think the ISAAC crowd who have argued heavily against this wanted to make the area more "evidenced based" and picked this as an easy target. I actually think there were easier targets.. Like Why the heck are SLPs not doing basic intervention supporting people with AAC... Rant over.

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No. Infact I would go as far to say you should look for alternative access solutions even on high tech. We don't just drive to work. We can walk, ride a bike...

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Why does it not work with the many individuals with deviating strabismus? Nystagmus? simply eyes that are not that open. It can't solve all problems. Infact its a pain in the backside to figure out "why" it doesn't work - or sometimes why one camera works great and another doesn't work at all

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Building AAC Facilitation Skills with Tabi Jones-Wohleber: MASTER PAL Training.  There are 11 modules in all (1 overview for administrative discussions and 10 for communication partners) and each one includes slides, handouts, discussion prompts, links to videos, and activity suggestions: https://praacticalaac.org/praactical/building-aac-facilitation-skills-with-tabi-jones-wohleber-master-pal-training-module-1/ @Judith.Schoonov1

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In addition to aided language stimulation, Wikki Stix can help initial location of icons paired with engaging and authentic activities. “Can you make the (toy) truck GO?” @JudithSchoonov1

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Switch development - it's gotta be http://talksense.weebly.com, http://www.inclusive.co.uk/Lib/Doc/pubs/switch-progression-road-map.pdf, and all Linda Berghart's stuff.

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Using  A collection of perspectives from team members and not simply “an expert in AAC”  and the SETT framework, consider Student strengths and needs (see @schaafsmap comments below) the Environments in which the device might be used and that would include lighting, sound, locations, and support staff. @JudithSchoonov1

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Welcome everybody! I'm so glad to be part of this first global #ATChat and to be involved in subject so close to my heart. I'm an occupational therapist and ATP working in Oxford, UK, for a specialised communication hub. You can follow me on twitter @DangerOT.

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I can't say enough about http://www.project-core.com/ for implementation and training of AAC and Core, as well as http://literacyforallinstruction.ca/ to help teams provide literacy supports for students with CCN. Also, following the AAC-RERC from PSU on social media has been great: https://rerc-aac.psu.edu/ lots of free articles available almost every quarter!

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Modeling, modeling, modeling! Showing the student

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Hopefully one day people will wear something NFC like that transmits a non-intrusive accessibility preferences data package.

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Hopefully one day people will wear something NFC like that transmits a non-intrusive accessibility preferences data package.

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When they walk up to a computer, games machine, ATM, payment system, booking in system, television, phone etc. the set-up adapts to their needs automatically.

Stuff like preferred language, preferred sight assistance, preferred input method and so on.

That would speed us all up, and wake up people making new equipment that this is a base-line level of need to be considering.

I remember (I think) Dave Banes of AbilityNet talking about this over 10 years ago. Gregg and Kate Vanderheiden are working on something more modest right now, but still would be fantastic:

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Our society is rapidly incorporating digital interfaces into all aspects of our lives. Yet many people cannot use these technologies due to barriers caused by their level of disability, literacy, and/or digital literacy. To address this an international consortium is developing a Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure (GPII) that uses auto-personalization to cause the devices they encounter to instantly and automatically change the device's interface into one the person can understand and use. This project will move the GPII from the research/prototype stage into a complete, reliable, and secure system ready for deployment. It will then pilot test it for 3 years in schools, American Job Centers, home and workplaces with people having the full range of ability/disability, literacy, and digital literacy found in these environments. Metrics will be gathered on the reliability, security, privacy, utility, and impact of the GPII.

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Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure - Automated Personalization Computing Project

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Our society is rapidly incorporating digital interfaces into all aspects of our lives. Yet many people cannot use these technologies due to barriers caused by their level of disability, literacy, and/or digital literacy.

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Openaac.org
https://www.openaac.org/
Great resource of open source AAC supports brought to you by the CoughDrop folks. Love the communication workshop.
@wernedat

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https://www.asha.org/policy/ps2018-00352/#1
@wernedat

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Location over symbol almost always. I have students that don't even go by the symbols anymore their automaticity (as an eye gaze user) is based on motor memory. But it needs to be taught over time and used consistently for both the user and all who are modeling and supporting. @wernedat

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@wernedat I always ask the user (or user's family depending) how they do other tasks most easily. Important to get this input...and then it's trials, trials, trials...and not just a single shot of a type of access, but use over time and different settings.

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Symbol Secrets. The first book from the OCCC on the first Blissymbol users. The 1972-73 Symbol Children.

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Symbol Secrets. The first book from the OCCC on the first Blissymbol users. The 1972-73 Symbol Children.

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Went up earlier this year, and thought I'd share it. Book sent to me via Shirley McNaughton linked to a book I'm writing "One Switch 100". I scanned it and Blissymbolics Communication Institute – Canada (BCIC) have happily put it up on-line.

I do wonder if many people are missing out these days for Blissymbols not taking hold as they might have. A wonderful idea.

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You should check out Chip Clarke, Lisbeth Nilsson, and Sarah Wilds' work on the ALP (Assessment of Learning Process) for AAC. This tool really helps you focus on where the user is at (in terms of access, not language) and where you need to go.
https://www.pattan.net/training/conferences/helix-conference/session-information/tuesday-november-13-2018/alp-for-aac-an-access-learning-progression-for-tea/
The Access Grid:
https://cms-pattan-live.ae-admin.com/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?nodeguid=9f443d1c-e952-4f21-a75b-8c08873dfb0e&lang=en-US
The ALP for AAC:
https://cms-pattan-live.ae-admin.com/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?nodeguid=703fa23d-ea4f-4381-97f1-447326aa32e8&lang=en-us

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A7: Hopefully accessibility continues to become more and more integrated into everyday life. I hope it looks like more people getting to say what they want to say, when they want to say it, and to whom they wish to speak. I hope it sounds like higher quality and more diverse voices. I hope it looks more and more affordably and less and less intimidating.
I know it will sound beautiful!
@schaafsmap

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A6: Not as close as we would like but probably closer than we might believe.
As so much of this technology becomes mainstreamed and accessible through SDKs, it's quite possible we'll see this one in the future. Just think about it what we've seen happen in just the past 5-10 years. For example, the tablet wasn't developed for communication, but nowadays, every communication device is based on tablet technology.
The true depth camera (newest iPhones and iPad Pro) was developed for security purposes, but it's already been shown its possibilities for eye gaze.
@schaafsmap

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A5: Whoa, I'm guessing this question is sure to generate a lot of conversation! ;-)
Honestly, I have zero experience using or witnessing facilitated communication. I know what I've heard about it and would say that I'm skeptical. I would love to hear what others with experience have to say about this.
@schaafsmap

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A4: It depends on the individual. In most cases, I would see that ideally it would be yes. However, I think that it's quite possible an individual who uses one access method on a high tech device (eg. eye gaze) would rely on another access method using a lower tech backup system (eg. partner assisted scanning).
@schaafsmap

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A3: I can't say that switch scanning is a strength of mine, but can still see a need for it in the future. For example, an individual with low vision or someone taking medication that affects pupil dilation may require auditory, switch, and/or partner-assisted scanning.
@schaafsmap

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A2: Some students may need more of this, but we find most of our students do fine if we don't place the focus too much on the symbol. While we may say what the symbol is (apple, book, etc.) the focus of our efforts is on the location of the button and sequence of buttons (motor planning) and the meaning of the word/phrase in context (language development).
@schaafsmap

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So many factors to consider:
- Medical (Primary diagnosis and secondary diagnoses, medications, etc.)
- User's abilities (Gross/fine motor, vision, receptive/expressive language, etc.)
- Current tech (Device, wheelchair, access method, etc.)
- Positioning (Mount, wheelchair, seating, headrest, etc.)
Chip Clarke teaches a PRC Master Class called All Access that is really helpful on this front.
@schaafsmap

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Hi everyone! So happy you can join us for this International #ATchat I am one of the co-moderators for the weekly chat. I am an Assistive Technology Specialist in NJ. I provide training to school based teams around the US. Looking forward to connecting with you. Follow me on Twitter @mmatp