AAC Motor Access & Alternative Input Methods 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of switch access in AAC?
- To allow users with motor limitations to control AAC devices (Correct answer)
- To enhance the visual display of symbols on the screen
- To amplify the volume of synthesized speech output
- To connect AAC devices to the internet wirelessly
Correct answer: To allow users with motor limitations to control AAC devices
Switch access provides an alternative input method for individuals with significant motor impairments who cannot use direct touch or selection.
Question 2: Which scanning method presents items sequentially and requires the user to activate a switch when the desired item is highlighted?
- Direct selection
- Automatic scanning (Correct answer)
- Directed scanning
- Morse code input
Correct answer: Automatic scanning
Automatic scanning moves through items at a set pace, and the user activates a switch to select when the desired item is highlighted.
Question 3: In partner-assisted scanning, who controls the pace and presentation of options?
- The AAC device software
- The communication partner (Correct answer)
- The AAC user via a dedicated switch
- A voice recognition module
Correct answer: The communication partner
In partner-assisted scanning, the communication partner verbally or visually presents options, and the user signals when the desired item is reached.
Question 4: What is 'dwell time' in the context of eye gaze AAC technology?
- The time required to fully charge the device battery
- The duration a user must fixate on a target for the system to register a selection (Correct answer)
- The delay interval between consecutive switch activations
- The length of synthesized speech output after selection
Correct answer: The duration a user must fixate on a target for the system to register a selection
Dwell time is the calibrated fixation duration a user must maintain on a target for the eye gaze system to register an intentional selection.
Question 5: Which access method is MOST appropriate for a user who has controlled, voluntary movement of a single body part such as a thumb or foot?
- Eye gaze technology
- Single-switch scanning (Correct answer)
- Direct multi-touch
- Voice recognition software
Correct answer: Single-switch scanning
Single-switch scanning requires only one reliable, voluntary movement to navigate and select items, making it ideal when only one controlled movement is available.
Question 6: What does 'inverse scanning' refer to in AAC switch access?
- The device scans backward through item arrays
- The user holds the switch to activate scanning and releases it to select (Correct answer)
- Eye gaze tracking performed in the reverse visual field direction
- Partner scanning conducted from right to left
Correct answer: The user holds the switch to activate scanning and releases it to select
In inverse scanning, the user holds the switch to keep the scan moving and releases it to make a selection, benefiting users who find releasing easier than pressing.
Question 7: What is the primary efficiency advantage of row-column scanning over linear scanning?
- It requires more switch activations to confirm selections
- It allows only single-switch access to be used
- It significantly reduces the number of switch activations needed to reach an item (Correct answer)
- It is compatible exclusively with high-tech SGDs
Correct answer: It significantly reduces the number of switch activations needed to reach an item
Row-column scanning requires the user to first select a row and then an item within that row, dramatically reducing total switch hits compared to scanning every item sequentially.
AAC Motor Access & Alternative Input Methods 1
What is the primary purpose of switch access in AAC?