6 tips-choosing aug/com devices

6 Tips for Choosing Augmentative Communication Devices

What should speech therapists, parents, and users consider when choosing augmentative communication equipment? With so many new devices on the market, there are many things to consider.
The following tips are general guidelines to help individuals evaluate communication devices. While every person is different, these tips will apply to almost all users of communication aids.

1. Look for solutions that are easy to use. Computerized dynamic display screens allow individuals to compose messages using familiar methods that eliminates memorization of complicated codes and increases speed.

2. Choose portable devices. Portability allows nonspeaking individuals to take their "voices" anywhere.

3. Consider flexible devices. Look for devices that offer a variety of access options.

4. Require excellent voice quality. Sound projection and quality are obviously important. See if the voice output can be personalized.

5. Look for a device that "grows" with the user. Think about an individual's needs a few years down the road. Can vocabulary be added and used quickly? Can the person use vocabulary independently?

6. Choose durable, reliable devices. Can the device withstand the stress of daily usage? Look for reliability. Make sure the battery life lasts long enough to meet a user's needs.

Comments

[Peggi McNairn]

I am happy to see information on AAC included on the web page. I agree and support most of the tips listed. I think, however, that tip #1 may be misleading to parents and those unfamiliar with AAC. Although a device may be easy to use, it may also be very limiting in terms of language for a child. A typewriter is easy to use, but I prefer my computer for power and speed even though it took longer to learn. A bicylce is easy to use, but I prefer my car for speed and distance. "Easy" is not always "better." Although a more complicated device may take longer to learn, it may have the power of language that a child needs in order to communicate. Too often, what is promoted as "easy" may actually be simply "cheaper." Know the language needs of your child and pick a device that will allow his/her language abilities to grow and develop.