Autism & AAC Devices

There are multiple types of  AAC devices ad they are broken down by how technological they. The categories are:

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No Tech: devices that are non-electric and simple to use

 

• Gestures- hand or body movements that indicate to another person how that individual feels

• Manual Hand Signs (Sign Language)- using hands and fingers as a way to communicate what you want to say

• Manual Communication Board (Pictured on the right)- a board that contains images that someone can point to in order to communicate

• Visual Schedule- a board with images on it of tasks. Used to structure a child’s day by showing them what they need to do

 

Low Tech: devices that may be electric and operate on batteries but are still pretty basic

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• Sequencer (Pictured on the right)- devices that allows you to program messages and play them back in succession

 

Mid Tech: a little more complex than ow tech devices and may require some training. These might use a small power source like batteries and is a little more expensive than low-tech devices.

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• Cheap Talk 8 by Enabling Devices (Pictured on the right)- a device that let you record voices and match them to one of the pictures on the two-leveled board.

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High Tech: expensive, electronic device that are complex and require training to use. These can use indirect or direct selection and usually run off of a rechargeable batteries.

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• EyeMobile Plus by Dynavox (Pictured on the right)- hands-free access to communication and a computer using eye tracking technology, speech recognition, switch and infrared (IR) functionality on Windows 10

 

 

These devices use two methods of selection:

 

Direct Selection: a method of communication where the individual picks from a selection set by either pointing at it with or without contact and force

 

Indirect Selection: a method of communication where the device or partner take steps to make up for the motor limitations of the user.