Summary:

This presentation details strategies to communicate on a single dynamic communication page, so that a conversation can be quick and efficient for AAC users.

Proposal:

The goal in alternative augmentative communication (AAC) is to provide people with severe communication disorders with quick and efficient speech output, especially in forming novel statements. For many augmentative communicators, speed of a conversation is accomplished by using one primary dynamic page with a few supplemental pages. This is because navigating from one page to another can be confusing and time consuming. Every second counts. This strategy works for many communicators and is most efficient, however, dynamic display allows options and there are individuals for whom navigating to more pages is necessary.

Such a goal of speedy conversation is difficult to obtain but necessary for people with disabilities to live productive lives. AAC-RERC Research Project R4, Evaluating and Enhancement Communication Rate, Efficiency and Effectiveness, said, "AAC users produce messages at an average rate of 10 words per minute. Appropriate communication and interaction speed appears critical for competent communication performance, and is linked to academic, social and employment success." 1

An article titled, Selecting and Organizing Vocabulary for AAC Users said, "The selection of functional and motivational vocabulary is critical for effective use of an augmentative communication device. Natural speech is automatic, allowing most speakers to enter communication situations without prior thought to the words, phrases, and stories they will use. Individuals with severe communication disabilities are not able to create and produce messages as easily, and therefore rely greatly on the vocabulary provided by others. 2

According to Blackstone, "the purpose of a communication display is to arrange language in space so individuals can, by selecting from the available options, say what they wish to say as quickly as possible, and can do so with a minimal amount of effort" (1993). 3

So, the ability to communicate quickly determines the quality of a conversation and the willingness for a communication partner to engage in a discussion with an AAC user. Dynamic display AAC devices have many word enhancement features such as core vocabulary and new character and word prediction features.

In this session, participants will learn strategies to speed up the communication process on a single dynamic page from two proficient DynaVox users. The newest trend, core vocabulary in Gateway Pro and the new WordPower offered on the new DV4 and MT4, will be discussed. Word prediction, having many buttons, is another method of retrieving many vocabulary items so that a user is not forced to turn to other pages.

Preprogrammed statements are another benefit, which provide instant communication on the keyboard.

Core Vocabulary

Participants will see two examples of keyboard pages having core vocabulary. In Gateway Pro, users have immediate access to 110 words before having to spell in word prediction. Likewise, in the new Word Power, 144 words are just as easily obtainable. Conceptually, once a user memorizes the location of all the core vocabulary items, a message can be spoken as fast as he can or she types - almost like a verbal conversation. One of the presenters will discuss how memorization is easy since the actual word is presented.

The core vocabulary concept brings instant communication when the function "Speak When Inserting Words" is on for the user and his or her communication partner. There are various opinions about having immediate auditory feedback. These will be discussed.

The participants will learn of some of the unique features in each of these two programs.

Like Words

In Gateway Pro, if a desired verb isn't found in the core vocabulary, a chance is that it can be found in synonyms or 'Like Words' having minus signs after route words. For example, the word understand can be chosen after selecting the route word know in the core vocabulary. This is instead of using word prediction or changing to another page.

Automatic Grammatical Morpheme Key

In Word Power, Automatic Grammatical Morpheme Keys for "-ed", "-ing", and "-s" are displayed in word prediction. Thus, time is saved without the necessity of going in traditional Word Morphology to choose a word tense.

Word Prediction and the new Character Prediction

With or without a core vocabulary page, the newly improved word prediction and the new Character Prediction on high-tech AAC devices are another means of speedy communication. Especially for users that scan, character prediction guesses a few choices of letters without him or her needing to go through the entire alphabet.

With word prediction, conceivably 30 or more predictor buttons can be on a keyboard page and can access to as many as 780 words simply by typing one of the letters of the alphabet. One of the presenters will show how the wide range of dynamic vocabulary items has made him proficient in communicating.

The two presenters will show different settings in the Prediction Menu to mold to the individual user. For example, "Context Prediction" guesses words based on sentence structure that is beneficial to some people. This setting, however, changes the location of vocabulary items in the word prediction display. Changing the display confuses other individuals that depend on the display to be static.

Regency Buttons

Regency Buttons, a new feature on a high-tech AAC device display the most unused vocabulary items in traditional word prediction. Composing novel statements is much faster as obscure words are often used again in having a conversation about a particular topic. For this reason, a presenter will discuss how he thought about the Regency Buttons for DynaVox Systems LLC to include in the new product line.

Flexible Abbreviation

Within the word prediction display, Flexible Abbreviation is a new feature allowing the device user to say a sentence from a few strings of characters. For example, "hh" can be expanded to say, "hello. How are you? " No more real estate is needed for this function.

Random Speak Text

Another real estate saver is the new Random Speak Text feature. Ten or more different greetings can be assigned to one button, for instance. Thus, a greeting can't be worn-out by one constant sentence.

Custom Keyboard Layout with Preprogrammed Statements and More

The participants will see how even programmed statements can be on the word prediction page, allowing a user to say pleasantries instantaneously without turning to another page. This strategy is beneficial for the user to continue a novel statement while being interrupted by a second party. Examples of different keyboards with preprogrammed statements will be shown and discussed.

Participants will see how word prediction, Tab Controls with starter phrases, Abbreviation Expansion and even Alternative Output can all be on the same keyboard page. For many users, having everything accessible on one single page is a powerful way to implement a DynaVox device. Although DynaVox products will be used for demonstration purposes, many of the strategies that will be highlighted will be applicable to other AAC systems.

Thus, using a single page layout can have many functions that some AAC users take advantage of without needing to navigate to other dynamic communication screens. As a result, a speedy conversation occurs.