Selection Methods in AAC (4th/5th Edition)

Selection methods in AAC (4 edition: Chapter 4)-(5th th edition: Chapter 7) SLHS 4303- FALL 2024 DR. REEM ABULHAMAYEL  Outlines: Chapter 4: Alternative Access oWhat is a Selection Set? oTypes of selection sets displays oCharacteristics of selection set display oSe...

Selection methods in AAC (4 edition: Chapter 4)-(5th th edition: Chapter 7) SLHS 4303- FALL 2024 DR. REEM ABULHAMAYEL  Outlines: Chapter 4: Alternative Access oWhat is a Selection Set? oTypes of selection sets displays oCharacteristics of selection set display oSelection techniques o Direct (options, strategies) o Scanning (patterns, timing & speed, Control techniques) oFeedback (activation, message) oMessage output and input o Synthesized Speech o Visual Output o Visual Input Selection Sets of AAC oWhat is a Selection Set? oA selection set of an AAC system includes the visual, auditory or tactile presentation of all messages, symbols and codes that are available at one time to the AAC user. oMost AAC techniques utilize visual display. Types of selection sets displays o 1. Fixed Displays: “fixed” in a particular location, known as “static display” Used in low-tech and some digitized speech-generating technology Can use a number of fixed displays. Limitations: levels, encoding strategies. Types of selection sets displays o 2. Dynamic Displays: Computer screen display, when activated, it automatically changes the selection set (symbols). Dynamic Display Devices Overview:(8: 34 min) https://youtu.be/OU_fj310t80  Types of selection sets displays o3. Hybrid Displays: Hybrid Display: A fixed component and a changing component. Example: devices that use a keyboard with word or phrase prediction only. o4. Visual Scene Displays: picture or a photograph, can be static or dynamic. Characteristics of selection set displays o Number of items o Size of items: o Item size and overall display size. Also, size and weight of the whole system. o Spacing and arrangement of items: considering the visual and motor control capabilities of the user. o Orientation of the display: o The position of the display relative to the floor. o Considering the user’s postural, visual and motor control capabilities. o Can be horizontal to the floor, mounted on a table or wheelchair. o 30-40 degree angle, 45- 90 degree angle (headstick or eye tracking). Example of keyguards and touch guides TouchChat Express 8.2/ChatWrap 8.2 Keyguard TouchGuide - TouchChat Express 8.2  Selection Techniques (1.Direct - 2. Scanning) 1. Direct o Options o Physical contact: i.e., communication book, or iPad. o Physical pressure or depression: i.e., standard keyboard. o Pointing (no contact): i.e., eye pointing, light-generating technology., eye-gaze vest. o Speech recognition: use speech to dictate writing or access the computer (not widely used for AAC users). o Strategies o Timed activation: can adjust time to select. o Release activation: press then let go. o Filtered or averaged activation: forgives the accidental movements and paintings and averages the time spent in the area or item.  Selection Techniques 2. Scanning o Patterns o Circular scanning (Figure 7.3, p. 256) o Linear scanning (Figure 7.4, p. 258) o Group item scanning (Figure 7.5, p. 258) o Scanning timing & speed o Control techniques: o Direct (inverse) Scanning: activate with a switch, keeps holding down, the indicator keeps moving, let go of the switch when desired choice is selected. o Automatic (Regular or interrupted) Scanning: movement through the options is automatic, activate a switch to stop the indicator and make the choice. o Step Scanning: indicator moves one step at a time with activation of switch, selection is made either by waiting and not activating the next choice or by activating a second switch.  Feedback oFeedback can be visual, auditory, tactile, or proprioceptive. o2 purposes: o Activation Feedback: o To let the AAC user know that an item is being activated/selected. o Not intended for the communication partner but rather for the AAC user. o Can be auditory (beep, click, etc.), visual (light flash, seeing one’s body part contact the device), Tactile (Contact with the symbols or items), Proprioceptive (applying enough pressure against the key, in manual signs: position and movement of hand in space). o Message Feedback: o To let the AAC user know about the message that has been formulated. o May be useful to the communication partner, but not intended to be for the partner. o Can be auditory (key echo, word echo, Comm. partner provides it), Visual (display of letters, words or symbols on the screen).  Message output and input o Message Output: What the AAC users send to their communication partners. o Message input: What the AAC users receive from others. o Intervention with AAC users can include message input because it is as important as message output, especially with individuals with cognitive impairments and linguistic processing impairment.  Types of message output and input: o 1. Synthesized Speech o Text-to-Speech: o To generate: o A) text is entered in the AAC device is transformed into Phonemes and allophones. o B) The device uses this speech data (phonemes & allophones) to generate digital speech signals that match the requested text. o C) The device converts this digital speech signals to analog speech waveforms that listeners can hear. o To generate this speech, devices used mathematical algorithms that take into consideration the rules of pronunciations, punctuation, voice inflections, and accent. o New research in (Personalized text-to-speech). o Digitized Speech: also called waveform coding. o Recorded natural speech that is stored and reproduced. o Stored as word or message and retrieved as a word or message. o Voice Banking: Storing the person’s voice then use it for their AAC device. (ADD for Fall 2025: example website: resemble.ai) Cont. Types of message output and input: Advantages of text-to-speech: 1) Easier interaction on communicative partner. 2) The message output is relatively familiar. 3) Allows communication with visually impaired and illiterate partners. 4) Easier on AAC users to get the attention of the communication partner. 5) Can be used at a distance (phone, voice messages). Disadvantages of text-to-speech: Can be difficult in noisy situations especially for people with hearing impairments or nonnative language speaker. Cont. Types of message output and input: o 2. Visual Output: o Now being used as a supporting method to synthetic speech. o Types of visual output: o Hard copy: printed copy of the messages using a printer as part of the AAC device (words or symbols). o Computer screen messages: widely used. o Unaided symbols: such as gestures and manual signs. Yet they impose a memory requirement on both the user and the communication partner. o Aided symbol Displays: o In non-electronic applications: use of symbols to display the message and the communication partner will “speak” them aloud. o To minimize the misunderstanding, you can pair the symbols with written translation. o Need to get the communication partner attention to the communication book. Cont. Types of message output and input: o3. AAC Visual Input oCan facilitate receptive language comprehension in some individuals. oUnaided symbols: oGestures and manual signs. oAided Symbols: oDrawing symbols, writing letters. oActivity boards. oExample: visual schedule. Observations videos 1. Using Picture Symbols for Communication (9:45 min): https://youtu.be/VinL5cxTCDs 2. Getting Started with Using PECS® (3:39 min): https://youtu.be/Hs-412lhXb0 3. Simucase (Orin- AAC Intervention: TouchChat Monster Book Activity) watch for activation feedback, message feedback, message output and input. Examples of AAC Products: https://www.ablenetinc.com/