SLP - Speech-Language Pathology Augmentative and Alternative Communication 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?

Accepted Answer

Eye-gaze technology

Answer

Direct selection via a touch screen with a keyguard

Answer

Single-switch scanning with an auditory prompt

Answer

Joystick control

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:

Accepted Answer

Core vocabulary

Answer

Fringe vocabulary

Answer

Coverage vocabulary

Answer

Developmental vocabulary

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?

Accepted Answer

Aided Language Stimulation (ALS)

Answer

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Answer

Expectant delay

Answer

Scripting

Question 4

The Participation Model of AAC assessment (Beukelman & Mirenda) is primarily guided by which of the following principles?

Accepted Answer

Comparing the communication needs and participation patterns of the individual to those of their same-age peers without disabilities.

Answer

Assessing a client's prerequisite skills to determine their candidacy for AAC.

Answer

Matching an AAC device to a client based on their specific medical diagnosis.

Answer

Focusing assessment solely on the linguistic and operational competence of the AAC user.

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:

Accepted Answer

Semantic compaction

Answer

Visual scene display

Answer

Taxonomic grid layout

Answer

Alphabetic organization

Question 6

When an SLP is classifying different forms of AAC, which of the following would be categorized as an 'unaided' system?

Accepted Answer

Gestures and facial expressions

Answer

A Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) binder

Answer

A text-to-speech application on a tablet

Answer

A communication board with the alphabet