AAC School-Based AAC Integration 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student with autism consistently selects the same icon regardless of the question asked. This pattern most likely indicates a need to assess:
- Expressive vocabulary size
- Access method and motor planning
- Receptive language comprehension and intent (Correct answer)
- Device volume settings
Correct answer: Receptive language comprehension and intent
Perseverative or random selections often signal that the student does not understand what is being communicated or lacks intentional communication skills requiring a receptive language and intent assessment.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST supports generalization of AAC skills across school environments?
- Keeping the device only in the therapy room to protect it
- Training all communication partners in aided language input (Correct answer)
- Limiting AAC use to one designated period per day
- Using different vocabulary sets in each classroom
Correct answer: Training all communication partners in aided language input
When all communication partners (teachers, aides, peers) use aided language input consistently across settings, students have more models and opportunities to generalize AAC use.
Question 3: A school is developing an AAC protocol for a new student. Which step should occur FIRST?
- Order a trial SGD from a vendor
- Complete a comprehensive communication needs assessment (Correct answer)
- Train the paraprofessional on the device
- Program the device with core vocabulary
Correct answer: Complete a comprehensive communication needs assessment
Assessment must precede device selection and training to ensure the chosen system matches the student's sensory, motor, linguistic, and communicative profile.
Question 4: When writing an AAC-related IEP goal, which component is most critical to include to allow for objective measurement?
- Brand name of the device
- Observable behavior with measurable criteria and conditions (Correct answer)
- Number of sessions per week
- Specific icon layout preference
Correct answer: Observable behavior with measurable criteria and conditions
Measurable IEP goals must specify the observable behavior, performance criteria, and conditions under which the skill will be demonstrated.
Question 5: A student's AAC use is highest with the SLP but nearly absent in the general education classroom. This discrepancy most likely points to:
- The device being inappropriate for the student
- Insufficient communication partner training in the classroom (Correct answer)
- Over-reliance on low-tech supports
- Sensory processing difficulties
Correct answer: Insufficient communication partner training in the classroom
When AAC use is context-specific, it typically reflects that other communication partners lack the training to model, prompt, and respond to AAC in their settings.
Question 6: Which approach involves the SLP demonstrating AAC use by pointing to symbols on the student's device while speaking?
- Verbal behavior therapy
- Aided language stimulation (ALgS) (Correct answer)
- Picture Exchange Communication System
- Functional communication training
Correct answer: Aided language stimulation (ALgS)
Aided language stimulation involves the communication partner pointing to symbols on the AAC system while speaking to provide a model for how the device is used.
Question 7: During an IEP meeting, the school proposes discontinuing a student's SGD because progress data is limited. The SLP should emphasize that:
- Limited data justifies removal of the device
- AAC is a last resort and alternative strategies should be tried first
- Access to AAC is a right and removal requires evidence it is not needed (Correct answer)
- Devices should be shared among students to reduce cost
Correct answer: Access to AAC is a right and removal requires evidence it is not needed
Removal of an AAC system requires documented evidence that it is not needed or that an equally effective alternative exists; presumption of competence supports maintaining access.
AAC School-Based AAC Integration 3
A student with autism consistently selects the same icon regardless of the question asked.
This pattern most likely indicates a need to assess: