SLP - Speech-Language Pathology Augmentative and Alternative Communication Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An SLP is conducting an AAC assessment for a 10-year-old child with athetoid cerebral palsy. The child has good vision and reliable head control but exhibits significant, uncontrolled movements in her arms and legs. Which of the following AAC access methods would be the MOST appropriate to trial first?
- Direct selection via a touch screen with a keyguard
- Single-switch scanning with an auditory prompt
- Eye-gaze technology (Correct answer)
- Joystick control
Correct answer: Eye-gaze technology
Given the client's significant and uncontrolled limb movements (athetosis), direct selection methods using the hands, such as a touch screen or joystick, would likely be inaccurate and frustrating. Single-switch scanning is a viable indirect selection method, but it can be slow. Since the client has good vision and reliable head control, eye-gaze technology provides a form of direct selection that bypasses her motor limitations, often resulting in faster and more efficient communication.
Question 2: An SLP is programming a speech-generating device for a new AAC user. She includes high-frequency, reusable words like "I," "want," "go," and "more" that can be used across many different contexts. This set of vocabulary is best described as:
- Fringe vocabulary
- Core vocabulary (Correct answer)
- Coverage vocabulary
- Developmental vocabulary
Correct answer: Core vocabulary
Core vocabulary consists of a small set of simple, high-frequency words (e.g., pronouns, verbs, descriptors) that make up approximately 80% of what we say in typical conversation. These words are versatile and can be used across different settings and topics, making them a critical component of a robust AAC system.
Question 3: Which of the following intervention strategies involves a communication partner teaching the meaning and use of graphic symbols by pointing to them on the AAC system while simultaneously speaking?
- The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
- Aided Language Stimulation (ALS) (Correct answer)
- Expectant delay
- Scripting
Correct answer: Aided Language Stimulation (ALS)
Aided Language Stimulation (ALS), also known as modeling, is a primary teaching strategy in AAC. The communication partner models language by using the AAC system themselves, pointing to symbols while speaking. This provides rich linguistic input, demonstrates how the system works, and helps the user learn the meaning of the symbols in a naturalistic context.
Question 4: The Participation Model of AAC assessment (Beukelman & Mirenda) is primarily guided by which of the following principles?
- Assessing a client's prerequisite skills to determine their candidacy for AAC.
- Comparing the communication needs and participation patterns of the individual to those of their same-age peers without disabilities. (Correct answer)
- Matching an AAC device to a client based on their specific medical diagnosis.
- Focusing assessment solely on the linguistic and operational competence of the AAC user.
Correct answer: Comparing the communication needs and participation patterns of the individual to those of their same-age peers without disabilities.
The Participation Model is a functional approach to AAC assessment. It begins by assessing the individual's participation in various life situations and comparing it to the participation patterns of their typically developing peers. The goal is to identify and address any participation barriers, which can be either access barriers (related to the user) or opportunity barriers (related to the environment or partners).
Question 5: A speech-generating device that uses a limited set of multi-meaning icons which are combined in specific sequences to represent a large vocabulary is operating on the principle of:
- Visual scene display
- Taxonomic grid layout
- Alphabetic organization
- Semantic compaction (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Semantic compaction
Semantic compaction is a vocabulary organization strategy where sequences of icons are combined to form words or phrases. This method, most notably used in Minspeak-based systems, allows a user to access a very large vocabulary using a small, consistent set of icons, which reduces the cognitive and motor load of navigating through multiple pages. For example, the icons for 'apple' and 'verb' might be combined to say 'eat'.
Question 6: When an SLP is classifying different forms of AAC, which of the following would be categorized as an 'unaided' system?
- A Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) binder
- A text-to-speech application on a tablet
- Gestures and facial expressions (Correct answer)
- A communication board with the alphabet
Correct answer: Gestures and facial expressions
AAC is divided into aided (requiring external tools or equipment) and unaided (relying only on the individual's body) systems. Gestures, body language, facial expressions, and manual signs (like ASL) are all forms of unaided AAC because they require no external equipment. Communication boards, binders, and electronic devices are all considered aided AAC.
SLP - Speech-Language Pathology Augmentative and Alternative Communication Questions and Answers
An SLP is conducting an AAC assessment for a 10-year-old child with athetoid cerebral palsy.
The child has good vision and reliable head control but exhibits significant, uncontrolled movements in her arms and legs.
Which of the following AAC access methods would be the MOST appropriate to trial first?