AAC Assessment for AAC Implementation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which assessment tool is specifically designed to evaluate the feature matching needs of AAC candidates by examining motor, sensory, and cognitive capabilities together?
- SETT Framework (Correct answer)
- Communication Matrix
- ASHA FACS
- Participation Model
Correct answer: SETT Framework
The SETT (Student, Environments, Tasks, Tools) Framework guides teams in matching AAC features to the individual's abilities across multiple domains.
Question 2: During an AAC assessment, a clinician finds that a child responds inconsistently to visual stimuli. Which specialist should be consulted before selecting a display type?
- Audiologist
- Physical therapist
- Vision specialist or ophthalmologist (Correct answer)
- Occupational therapist
Correct answer: Vision specialist or ophthalmologist
A vision specialist should evaluate visual acuity, field, and processing before selecting display size, contrast, or symbol style for AAC.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of conducting a 'feature matching' process during AAC assessment?
- To identify the most affordable device on the market
- To align device and system characteristics with the individual's abilities and needs (Correct answer)
- To select the device preferred by the family
- To determine insurance reimbursement eligibility
Correct answer: To align device and system characteristics with the individual's abilities and needs
Feature matching ensures the AAC system's characteristics (access, display, vocabulary) align with the user's specific motor, cognitive, sensory, and communication profile.
Question 4: A nonverbal adult with ALS is assessed for AAC. Which access method is most likely to be recommended as motor function continues to decline?
- Direct touch on a large touchscreen
- Partner-assisted scanning
- Eye gaze technology (Correct answer)
- Head pointer with keyboard
Correct answer: Eye gaze technology
Eye gaze technology is often the most viable long-term access method for individuals with ALS as it remains functional even with significant motor deterioration.
Question 5: In the Participation Model for AAC assessment, 'opportunity barriers' refer to which of the following?
- Physical limitations that prevent AAC use
- Policies, attitudes, and knowledge gaps that restrict communication participation (Correct answer)
- Device funding denials by insurance
- Cognitive impairments limiting AAC learning
Correct answer: Policies, attitudes, and knowledge gaps that restrict communication participation
Opportunity barriers are external factors such as restrictive policies, negative attitudes, and lack of knowledge that limit an individual's participation in communication contexts.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'aided language stimulation' as used during an AAC assessment process?
- Providing written instructions for device use to caregivers
- The clinician models AAC use during natural interactions to demonstrate communication (Correct answer)
- Testing a device's speech output volume in various environments
- Assessing a child's ability to imitate spoken words
Correct answer: The clinician models AAC use during natural interactions to demonstrate communication
Aided language stimulation involves the clinician or partner modeling AAC system use during natural interactions, which also reveals how the candidate responds to the system.
Question 7: When assessing symbol comprehension for a potential AAC user, which progression of symbol complexity is generally followed?
- Abstract symbols → line drawings → photographs → objects
- Objects → photographs → line drawings → abstract symbols (Correct answer)
- Line drawings → objects → photographs → abstract symbols
- Photographs → abstract symbols → line drawings → objects
Correct answer: Objects → photographs → line drawings → abstract symbols
Symbol comprehension typically develops from concrete (objects, photographs) to more abstract representations (line drawings, abstract symbols).
AAC Assessment for AAC Implementation 2
Which assessment tool is specifically designed to evaluate the feature matching needs of AAC candidates by examining motor, sensory, and cognitive capabilities together?