AAC Understanding Methods & Modalities 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which AAC modality relies solely on the body without any external tools or devices?
- Aided AAC
- Unaided AAC (Correct answer)
- High-tech AAC
- Static display AAC
Correct answer: Unaided AAC
Unaided AAC uses only the body — including sign language, gestures, and facial expressions — with no external tools.
Question 2: A dynamic display device automatically changes its page layout when a category button is pressed. What is the primary advantage of this feature?
- It reduces battery consumption
- It allows access to a larger vocabulary without clutter (Correct answer)
- It eliminates the need for symbol-based communication
- It converts speech to text in real time
Correct answer: It allows access to a larger vocabulary without clutter
Dynamic displays expand vocabulary access by showing different pages on demand, keeping each screen uncluttered.
Question 3: A clinician selects a voice output device that produces pre-recorded natural speech rather than synthesized speech. This is best described as:
- Text-to-speech output
- Digitized speech output (Correct answer)
- Phonemic synthesis
- Pragmatic voice banking
Correct answer: Digitized speech output
Digitized speech uses recorded human voice samples played back, as opposed to computer-generated (synthesized) speech.
Question 4: In the context of AAC symbol systems, which characteristic distinguishes aided symbols from unaided symbols?
- Aided symbols are always high-tech
- Aided symbols require an external support or tool (Correct answer)
- Aided symbols are exclusively picture-based
- Aided symbols cannot represent abstract concepts
Correct answer: Aided symbols require an external support or tool
Aided symbols require some external support — such as a board, card, or device — whereas unaided symbols are produced with the body alone.
Question 5: Which of the following best exemplifies a low-tech AAC strategy?
- Eye-gaze technology with infrared sensors
- A tablet-based speech-generating device
- A laminated communication board with PCS symbols (Correct answer)
- A brain-computer interface
Correct answer: A laminated communication board with PCS symbols
A laminated communication board is a low-tech, no-battery, no-electronic aided AAC tool.
Question 6: A user activates their SGD by moving their head to control a mouse cursor. This access method is called:
- Partner-assisted scanning
- Head mouse / head tracking (Correct answer)
- Eye gaze
- Switch scanning
Correct answer: Head mouse / head tracking
Head mouse or head tracking technology translates head movements into cursor movements, enabling indirect access to an SGD.
Question 7: Which principle from AAC best-practice guidelines supports offering multiple modalities to a single user simultaneously?
- Modality exclusivity
- Multimodal communication (Correct answer)
- Single-system dependency
- Hierarchical symbol selection
Correct answer: Multimodal communication
Multimodal communication recognizes that individuals use a combination of methods — speech, gesture, SGD, writing — rather than one system alone.
AAC Understanding Methods & Modalities 2
Which AAC modality relies solely on the body without any external tools or devices?