Deck 15: Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Question 1

Cultural background and practices as well as visual,motor and cognitive skills should be considered when selecting a symbol set or system for an AAC user.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

AAC symbol sets do not have specified rules for expansion while AAC symbol systems do.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The success of AAC depends on the matching of communication strategies to the needs of the individual and creating an environment that supports the use of AAC.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Bradley's communication goals include increasing functional use of AAC and increasing speech intelligibility.The two goals will

A)Widen Bradley's circle of contacts
B)Help Bradley become a multi-modal communicator
C)Expand Bradley's repertoire of communicative behaviors
D)All of the above
E)All but C

Question 5

Scanning selection methods are preferable for individuals with limited motor abilities.

Question 6

Bradley's AAC system was designed to allow him the use of a pneumatic sip-and-puff switch to select symbols presented in a row-column array screen to communicate.Bradley's 'means to select' is referred to as

A)Unaided direct selection
B)Electronically aided direct selection
C)Auditory scanning selection
D)Visual scanning selection

Question 7

American Sign Language may be viewed as an aided symbol set.

Question 8

Benjamin was not making progress with achieving functional communication use of his AAC system.His choice of symbols to select referents was randomly made at best.His speech-language pathologist was at a loss about what to do next.He should

A)Examine visual acuity and perception.Perhaps there are too many symbols on the array or the perceptual characteristics of the symbols are too similar.
B)Continue with behavioral training to teach matching the symbol to the referent.Sometimes learning takes years.
C)Dismiss Ben.He cannot learn to use an AAC system functionally.
D)Place Ben in a group session.He can no longer justify individual sessions for him because of lack of progress.

Question 9

Speech-language pathologists who engage in evidence-based AAC clinical practice

A)Should compare the communication abilities of AAC users with the communication abilities of persons without disability
B)Must wait for completion of randomized studies that compare treatment groups to control groups
C)Document changes in the communication abilities of AAC clients before and after treatment
D)All of the above

Question 10

J has ALS.He requires an AAC system that

A)Is appropriate for his physical and intellectual status
B)Addresses his most pressing communicative concerns
C)Will adapt to his increasing needs for physical assistance with communication
D)All of the above
E)Mr.J's condition suggests that an AAC system will not be beneficial

Question 11

Assisting AAC users to communicate effectively with a small number of supportive individuals is an appropriate intervention goal.

Question 12

As the speech-language pathologist assigned to the brain and spinal cord injury unit for adolescents at the local children's hospital,you work with many,previously socially and physically active,teens suffering from acute brain injury secondary to motor vehicle accidents.

A)You stockpile sets of Blissymbol Kits because you want to introduce your patients to complex AAC systems early so they won't feel insulted.
B)You stockpile sets of dedicated communication devices that are easily accessible and require little learning time that patients can use while hospitalized.
C)You arrange with a computer company to order custom designed AAC systems for each patient that will only take 2-3 weeks to arrive upon confirmation of order and payment.
D)You arrange to be present or have family members present whenever the patient wants to communicate with medical staff or visitors.

Question 13

To teach the scanning method of symbol selection

A)Begin with partner-assisted selection,then move to auditory scanning
B)Begin with auditory scanning,then move to visual scanning
C)Begin with row-column selection,then progress to linear selection
D)Begin with linear selection,then progress to row-column selection

Question 14

Augmentative communication strategies supplement residual speech,while alternative communication strategies replace speech.

Question 15

Ideograms are real life pictures to be used on communication boards.

Question 16

Amy's AAC system seemed to be a perfect fit.She had the knowledge of the symbol system to produce original utterances.She managed the direct selection device with ease and she was able to use the system to address most breakdowns in communication.Yet,Amy did not use her system often to interact in class,in the cafeteria or on the playground.Amy's overall communicative competence using AAC was limited because of a lack of

A)Linguistic competence
B)Operational competence
C)Social competence
D)Strategic competence

Question 17

Bradley is a six-year old with spastic cerebral palsy characterized by quadriplegic hemiparesis,poor posture,and poor head control.His speech is characterized by severe spastic dsysarthria which makes him unintelligible to unfamiliar listeners 90% of the time.Bradley demonstrates the cognitive and academic skills of a first grader and he and his parents are anxious for him to be placed in a regular classroom.Bradley requires an AAC system that will allow him to communicate spontaneously with his teachers and peers.Based on Bradley's motor,cognitive,academic and social needs,the speech-language pathologist selects an

A)Aided symbol system
B)Unaided symbol system
C)Aided symbol set
D)Unaided symbol set

Question 18

Exemplary clinical practice promotes the concept of viewing AAC users as multi-modal communicators.

Question 19

The purpose of communication for persons with disabilities differs from the purpose of communication for persons without disabilities.

Question 20

AAC symbol sets represent abstract and concrete referents equally well,whereas AAC symbol systems do not.