Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Flashcards

According to Light (1989), 'communication competence' in AAC encompasses which four domains?

Answer: Linguistic, operational, social, and strategic competence

Light's model of communicative competence for AAC users includes linguistic competence (language knowledge), operational competence (device use), social competence (interaction skills), and strategic competence (compensatory strategies).

What is a 'dynamic display' in an AAC speech-generating device?

Answer: A touchscreen that automatically changes pages based on user navigation choices

A dynamic display changes the symbols visible on the screen based on the user's navigation (e.g., selecting a category opens a page with related vocabulary), allowing access to a large vocabulary through linked pages.

Semantic compaction (Minspeak) is an AAC encoding strategy in which:

Answer: Sequences of multi-meaning icons are combined to represent words and phrases

Minspeak uses icon sequences (e.g., an apple icon + action icon = 'eat') where multi-meaning icons are combined in sequences to represent a large vocabulary with a small number of symbols.

Which of the following represents an 'opportunity barrier' to AAC use?

Answer: A school policy that prohibits the AAC device in the cafeteria

Opportunity barriers are external constraints imposed by other people or policies (e.g., school rules, caregiver attitudes, lack of training) rather than the user's own abilities, which are termed 'access barriers.'

Which population is most commonly associated with the use of high-tech AAC systems in clinical practice?

Answer: Individuals with complex communication needs such as ALS, cerebral palsy, or autism spectrum disorder

High-tech AAC is primarily indicated for individuals with complex communication needs (CCN) — those who cannot rely on natural speech alone due to conditions such as ALS, cerebral palsy, autism, or other significant communication impairments.

Which member is typically considered the PRIMARY professional responsible for AAC evaluation and implementation on a multidisciplinary team?

Answer: Speech-language pathologist

The SLP is the primary professional responsible for AAC evaluation, feature matching, vocabulary selection, and implementation, while other team members (OT, PT, educators) contribute expertise in motor access, seating, and educational integration.

When conducting an AAC evaluation for a child with severe autism who is minimally verbal, the SLP should first:

Answer: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of current communication skills, needs, and environments

A comprehensive AAC assessment evaluates the child's current communication skills, environmental demands, partner abilities, and potential access methods — this information drives feature matching and system selection without imposing prerequisites.