The Challenge in Making AAC Successful
Make no mistake about it – it is a challenge to make alternative augmentative communication (AAC) a success. Less than three percent of adults with speech disabilities use AAC. It is very much a challenge, as many who have been disabled early in life don’t miss, in the traditional sense, the ability to walk.
Except for when I am in bed, I don’t feel disabled. As soon as I get in my power chair with my device, I feel like I can do anything. I am as normal as anybody else is. It is hard to stop me. Furthermore, if it were not for the side ramp, my preference would be not to park my van in handicapped slots. The elderly and those who have a difficult time walking are far more deserving to have handicapped parking than I am. I drive in my chair effortlessly for miles upon miles. In short, I don’t miss the ability to walk because I never experienced it.
The same is true for the person who has never spoken aloud and is unfamiliar with the power of speech. It is a challenge to get anybody to do something if he or she has never experienced it before. We don’t miss what we have never experienced. While watching the Olympic Games on television, I think about this. I don’t know for sure, but I suppose that you (like me) do not want to go ski jumping off the side of a mountain. We are satisfied just to be a spectator of this event – never desiring to ski jump – less we kill ourselves! Ski jumping is as impossible as walking to me. The same parallel is true for somebody that has never spoken verbally. It is a challenge to get a person with a significant speech disorder to succeed from a spectator to a participant in everyday normal conversation.
In thinking about this analogy, I have brainstormed some goals for AAC. In my own success with my device, and in my work as a consultant for DynaVox Mayer-Johnson, I have a pursuit to have AAC as acceptable for users as wheelchairs are now. There are certain keys to success towards sophisticated speaking devices. This involves sociological and psychological issues that can result in the impact and acceptance of AAC being comparable to the use of a wheelchair.
In my upcoming series of blogs, I will discuss strategies for taking up the challenge of making an AAC user succeed with a speaking device. So, stay tuned.
Hi
I just love this post, you are right I have no desire to go ski jumping. I do however have an 8 yo boy who doesn’t talk who I worry about everyday. I think he is very smart, his receptive language is quite good. Are you able to speak? I hope you don’t take this the wrong, way but you sound very intelligent. I hope my boy someday will be able to converse the way you do. Yes, making AAC fit our lifestyle has not been easy, especially because my son is so easy going and understands everything we say, it is just so easy to leave that big Dynavox V at home, and even when I bring it, despite being able to program it is is just so awkward, sometimes I can’t even remember where a page is. I look forward to more of your post, as it is essential we teach my son to communicate.
Best Wishes
Cassandra
Hi Cassandra,
I am glad that you liked my post. My natural speech is very hard to understand so I use a Vmax that unlock the world to me. It is important for the world to communicate with your son also. He has gifts to give. Whether this is done through natural speech or his V, I encourage it. Some people need help to see with glasses, while others need help to talk with speaking devices. If you are having trouble with the technology, there are many tutorials on the DynaVox website. If you have a specific question, I would be more than glad to provide assistance.
Best regards,
Rick Hohn