AAC Symbols Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Use of Symbols

• Chapter 4 is about symbols in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
• "Symbols" in AAC are forms or representations that represent an idea the person wants to convey.
• The symbolic value of a symbol exists solely in the user's mind. A picture or manual sign is not symbolic without the user understanding the meaning.

Symbol Classification

• Symbols are categorized as unaided or aided.
• Unaided symbols are further categorized as Linguistic (auditory language like spoken English, French, Portuguese, etc.) or Non-linguistic (visual language like American Sign Language).
• Aided symbols are graphic symbols, presented visually.

Nonlinguistic Unaided Symbols

• Non-linguistic vocalizations (e.g., "huh-huh; brrr") are often idiosyncratic (understood only by the user and their partner). Some are conventionalized and understood by a wider population.
• Acoustic symbols (e.g., huh-huh = no, huh-huhH = yes).
• Visual unaided symbols (e.g., gestures - yes/no headshakes; eye-blink code: one blink is yes, two blinks is no).

Unaided Non-Linguistic AAC Symbols

• Category: Acoustic symbols (vocalization), Visual symbols (common gestures, gesture sets, idiosyncratic gestures, mime, eye-blink codes).
• Examples: Examples of each category, including gestures for yes/no, waving hello, iconic gestures for actions like flapping wings for a bird.

Gestures vs. Manual Signs

• Gestures are not part of a language system.
• Manual signs are gestures that have been systematized for linguistic organization.
• Manual signs are the linguistic equivalent to spoken words in sign language.
• Many gestures are a natural part of speech as they are produced together. Signs are produced without speech.
• When gestures are conventionalized they become a lexical item (transition from gesture to manual sign).

Gestures

• A gesture is a non-linguistic movement that may have communicative meaning.
• Gestures may occur in conjunction with speech or may have a function on their own.
• Gestures may facilitate speech.
• A manual sign is a linguistic element.

The Kendon Continuum

• Gestures can vary in meaning (meaningless to linguistic).
• The Kendon Continuum shows a spectrum of gesture meaning, from spontaneous movements to language-like gestures, toward emblems and pantomime.
• Spontaneous gesticulation (low meaning, often rhythmic)
• Language-like gestures (gestures assuming a linguistic meaning)

McNeill's Gesture Classification

• Beats: Hand movements that follow the rhythm of speech.
• Iconics: Hand movements that visually represent what the speaker is saying (e.g., putting on a hat to indicate "hat").
• Metaphorics: Hand movements that represent abstract ideas (e.g., spreading arms to indicate "large").
• Cohesives: Hand movements that show continuity or repetition (e.g., half-circular movements for "and then").
• Deictics: Familiar pointing.

Everybody Uses Gesture!

• Gestures are frequently used and appear before speech in natural development.
• Deaf, blind, and individuals with speech impairments all use meaningful gestures.

How to "Catch" Natural Gestures and Shape Them into Meaningful Communication

• This describes intervention practice for analyzing idiosyncratic gestures and providing a consistent response.
• Examples show how these gestures can be reinterpreted towards communicative meaning.

Linguistic Unaided Symbols

• The difference for manual signs in sign language vs. independent systems of manual signs.
• AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) systems may be accompanied by natural speech.
• Natural sign languages utilize a lexicon with phrases and sentences which are governed by grammar.

Why Would Manual Signing Work?

• Motor argument: Manual signs may rely on less complex motor control than speech.
• Visual argument: Preference for visual modalities.
• Gestural argument: Everybody gestures habitually.
• Continuity argument: Gestures facilitate transition to spoken language.
• Speed argument: Signing may slow down a speaker.

Key Word Signing

• Key word signing is simultaneous communication with speech and manual signs for important information).
• An example phrase (Please take your coat and hang it up).

Simplified Sign System

• Combines iconicity and low motor requirements. Provides AAC.

Fingerspelling/the Hand Alphabet

• The use of an alphabet that follows the letter-by-letter representation of spoken language.

Lorm Alphabet

• An interactive method of using specific spots of the hand to convey alphabetic values.

Tadoma Method

• A sense-based tactile language method of conveying speech and other mouth movements.

Aided AAC Symbols

• Aided symbols use props like pictures, objects, or devices for communication.

Graphic Symbols

• Graphic symbols are for communication modalities using visual representations.
• People with disabilities use vision more than hearing in processing.
• Graphic symbols can be combined with speech or other visual or manual signs.
• They are static and invariant.
• Symbols use iconicity to relate to real-world objects.
• They are less abstract than words.

Cognition and Graphic Symbols

• The user must have strong internal visual representation.
• Picture understanding skills can help users engage with graphic symbols.
• Understanding concepts.
• Full development may take several years.

Levels of Understandability of Graphic Symbols

• Recognizable: easily identified.
• Guessable: symbols that convey meaning.
• Low picturability: abstract concepts.

Recognizable Graphic Symbols

• Symbols that denote commonly encountered objects in the environment.
• Clear meaning for members of the same culture.

Pictures and Prototypes

• Good symbols should be clear, readily interpretable, and distinct.

Guessable Graphic Symbols

• A spectrum based on guessability and transparency.

Low Picturability Graphic Symbols

• Symbols with limited representation that rely on cultural understanding.

An Interesting Graphic Symbol System: Bliss-Words

• Limited number of shapes; these combine to communicate.
• Uses morphological markers to create symbols that convey meaning.
• Symbols have a sublexical level, combining elements to form words.

Two Issues of Graphic Symbols: Polysemy and Sequentiality

• Polysemy: A single graphic symbol can have multiple meanings.
• Sequentiality: For verbs. A symbol showing an action alone is unclear.

Uses for Graphic Symbols - 1 & 2 & 3

• Learning to use communication devices takes time (familiarization with the technology).
• Use a limited number of symbols to start communication.
• Boards or screens may need to be used to present a limited number of symbols in multiple situations.
• Including common statements with high frequency of use that cover basics of need and survival. (Emergencies, basic needs etc).
• Learning tools for communication devices may assist in communicative growth.
• Implement ways to help users communicate their needs and desires, protection, and socializing.

Points to Remember

• Symbols need to have meaning for the user.
• Gestures may eventually transition to conventional signs.
• Gestures are tied to language use, from basic movements to complex sign language gestures.
• Symbols can be helpful tools, if used in different ways for diverse learning needs etc, to support communication.
• AAC use by users may include both signing and speech.