Who uses an augmentative communication device?

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I'm just curious about who on this board uses an augmentative communication device, and how they feel about it. I'm a speech pathology intern at a school for kids with autism, and three of my kids have high-tech devices with voice output (another uses PECS symbols and most of the rest use either sign or speech).

One of my kids has had a Dynavox for almost two years now, and he can navigate it really well (his system of vocabulary pages and tabs is actually really complex). A second kid has just gotten a Dynavox MiniMo (it's a simpler device with fewer features), and I've been having a ton of fun programming it. We just started using it in speech today, and thanks to his excellent receptive language, he's already starting to pick it up. A third kid has started recently with a very simple speech output device (no dynamic screen) that has a field of eight buttons (although we are using only two currently) that she can use to make requests.

I can really see the potential for some other kids on my caseload as well, and I plan on talking with my supervisor about them. There are some kids who have no speech and little command of sign, who might (at the least) increase their ability to request if all they have to do is push a button. This is especially true for kids with a lot of motor problems.

I was wondering how you AAC users like your systems. How are they set up? Did you program them yourselves? How long have you had them? Do you have any major complaints?

If there is anyone on here who has used an AAC system (especially in childhood) that was programmed by someone else, do you have any suggestions for things that worked really well for you/were a disaster?

Thanks for any input. I'm excited that some of my kids are able to express themselves so much more fully through their AAC devices, but one problem obviously is that since I'm not the person who will be using the system, I have to guess about the things my kids will want to express. I'm sure there are other things to watch out for, so I'm hoping to get feedback from end-users who have already been through this whole experience.

This sounds great, but someone on this board will condemn it as a tool of opression, the work evil NTs. Sooner or later, we'll get the stupid reaction from someone.

Just wait.

all I have is a worn down erase board with a pocket full of markers...and a stash of pre-written phrase cards in the other pocket. communication is hell sometimes.

I often write instead of speak (most here do know already). I am partly mute but am able to speak. As far as facilitated speech - yes! I have a Dana, by AlphaSmart. I just use it as a keyboard and 'the other' can then just read. One feature I like is that the display board can switched so the text is oriented 90 degrees, which makes my reader/listener more able to read whilst I type. I usually situate myself side-by-side or perpendicular so this is much easier. Dana is supposed to have a long lasting battery but mine isn't - be close to an outlet. Dana is interactive in that it can be accessed via my computer too, other features.

Otherwise, I simply write on paper! It works. I like Dana since the type is easier to read than my handwriting. I often draw too, but that must be on paper. I do know some sign but most others do not, of course. So this isn't especially effective.

As far as phrase cards....I guess. But I don't. The reason, mostly: I wouldn't want others to think I'm giving pre-responded answers, although I am in actuality, I guess. I tailor my answer to the question so cards won't work very well for my needs.

The hardest part is getting one to actually read what I write...sigh. Like I've written/said: "To not read what I (or any Autie) write is like covering your ears when a neurotypical is speaking to you!" This never quite occurs to 'the other!'

am dont use and would never use those devices as would easily lose one due to their size,but am use a laptop with a TTS [text to speech] programme,and makaton whilst out.
before am had a laptop,am had to drag them in to look at what was on the desktop monitor,the laptop is so much better as it can be brought anywhere,and it has very quiet fans unlike the desktop pc.

the extra support staff am have from the NAS said they are slowly teaching one of her other clients to use a laptop for communication,dont think they know about communicators.
a communicator would probably be better for him,as he is finding it hard to understand what he does controls whats on the screen.

[ My augmentative communication device = Image Macros! =P ]

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