Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Flashcards

The Participation Model for AAC assessment, developed by Beukelman and Mirenda, primarily focuses on:

Answer: Analyzing communication participation patterns of AAC users compared to same-age peers without disabilities

The Participation Model analyzes the participation patterns of peers without disabilities to identify opportunity and access barriers limiting AAC users.

Which category of barrier to AAC participation refers to laws, institutional policies, or societal attitudes that restrict an individual's AAC use?

Answer: Opportunity barriers

Opportunity barriers are external factors — including policy, practice, knowledge, and attitude barriers — that prevent participation regardless of the individual's abilities.

Aided Language Stimulation (ALS) in AAC intervention involves:

Answer: Training caregivers and partners to model language by pointing to AAC symbols during natural interactions

ALS involves communication partners simultaneously speaking and pointing to symbols on an AAC system to model language use during natural interactions.

Which of the following best describes 'fringe vocabulary' in AAC?

Answer: Words that are specific to an individual's unique interests, activities, and personal environments

Fringe vocabulary includes words unique to a specific individual's life, such as names, preferred topics, and activity-specific terms, complementing core vocabulary.

LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) is an AAC approach that emphasizes:

Answer: Building consistent motor patterns for word locations to support automatic language retrieval

LAMP applies principles of motor learning, establishing consistent motor patterns for each word location so that retrieval becomes automatic over time.

Which access method would be most appropriate for an individual with severe physical limitations who has one reliable, isolated body movement?

Answer: Single-switch scanning or eye gaze technology

Single-switch scanning and eye gaze technology are designed for individuals with minimal reliable motor control, allowing communication with one movement or gaze.

Communication partner training (CPT) in AAC primarily aims to:

Answer: Help partners learn strategies to effectively facilitate, respond to, and support AAC use

CPT teaches significant others strategies to facilitate AAC use, respond to all communication attempts, and provide modeling during natural interactions.