Communication Needs and AAC Interventions Quiz for Parkinson's Disease and TBI

MND stands for Motor Neuron Disease, a progressive, degenerative disease affecting the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord, but not sensation. Weakness is the common early symptom, with upper-extremity weakness most frequently reported. Different types of weakness, including respiratory weakness, may be present in those affected.

AAC support is commonly required for communication needs, as most MND patients lose the ability to speak. Dysarthria, a motor speech disorder, is prevalent in MND patients, with mixed flaccid-spastic type dysarthria being common.

Neck weakness is a primary prognostic factor associated with the loss of speech and swallowing function. Respiratory failure is typically the cause of death in MND patients.

AAC recommendations are accepted and technology purchased. Instruction is provided and ongoing needs monitored and adjusted as change occurs.

Identifying participation patterns, assessing current and anticipated capabilities, assessing potential constraints, and selecting low- and high-tech AAC options.

Living situations, such as transitioning from a private home to assisted living, can impact funding and necessitate changes to AAC systems.

Employment is important for individuals with MND, and communication technology plays a crucial role in enabling them to continue working.

Some individuals actively seek AAC-related information, while others rely on professionals for decision-making.

Consideration should be given to the targeted AAC system if arm and hand function declines.

Interventions for individuals with MND should include computer literacy and Internet training to provide options for continuing employment and accessing supports.

Expanded electronic communication options have resulted in expanded opportunities for employment, volunteering, distance learning, financial transactions, and commercial activity for individuals with MND.

Communication needs and AAC supports should be based on an individual's patterns of participation, with consideration of opinions and preferences regarding participation and lifestyle patterns being crucial during assessment and intervention.

Eye gaze technology is widely used for face-to-face communication and text entry for individuals with MND.

Speech severity, swallowing severity, and speech usage account for 55% of the variance in communicative participation for individuals with MND.

Motor capabilities greatly impact the selection of AAC systems for individuals with MND, and it is important to assess these capabilities and consider fatigue throughout the day.

Individuals with acquired physical disabilities, like MND, experience significant changes in their lives, impacting their communication needs and participation roles.

High acceptance rates, increasing with the advancement and commonality of AAC technology in society.

27%

Women

Time, instruction, ongoing support, troubleshooting, and customization.

At least five hours.

When speech slows to about 125 words per minute or when intelligibility is inconsistent in adverse listening situations.

Timely implementation of AAC systems.

Adapting and accommodating to changing communication needs and capabilities until the individual's death.

Eye linking.

91%

Motor symptoms including tremors at rest, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability.

Introduction of levodopamine (L-dopa), improving mobility and independence.

Rapid deterioration of speech and swallowing functions.

Apathy, along with other behavioral changes.

Frontotemporal dementia.

Early Phase, Middle Phase, and Late Phase.

Speaking rate and intelligibility.

Assessments of cognitive, motor, speech, and language capabilities.

Voice banking and message banking.

Message banking, synthetic voices, and AAC technology.

The person's participation in specific evaluation activities.

Natural speech supplemented with AAC.

Transition to more comprehensive AAC systems if natural speech is no longer meeting communication needs.

Identifying stages and monitoring speech performance with a focus on natural speech supplemented with AAC.

Social environment, physical impairments, and the effectiveness of spoken communication.

Assessment of cognitive/linguistic, sensory/perceptual, and motor capabilities.

Controversy exists regarding whether dementia is a feature of the disease, despite typically developed language abilities that support AAC interventions.

Cognitive limitations may interfere with AAC interventions, requiring additional instruction and practice.

Motor control problems may affect AAC interventions.

Resistance towards AAC intervention and hearing limitations of communication partners.

Symptoms include confusion, blurry vision, and difficulty concentrating.

Treatment may involve rest, medication, and surgery.

It involves ensuring access to communication tools, personally held health information, and collaborative communication with carers, spouses, and parents.

Significant increases in communication exchanges, AAC use, and success of communication about pain and other symptoms.

To increase consistency of responses and shape them into meaningful communication, using techniques tailored to the individual's neurologic involvement.

It involves choosing specific communication goals, compensating for attention and memory impairments, and supporting conversational interaction using non-electronic or limited AAC technology displays.