Resource Toolkit Assignment: Resource Summary Sheet
1.
Name of the tool, or a brief description: Tips for Communication Partners When Communicating with an AAC User
2. What type of
patient(s) would you use this tool/technique with? (Describe
by characteristics or by etiology.)
This resource is designed to be handed out to communication partners of
individuals who use AAC to communicate. Adjusting to communicating with a loved
one in a very new and different way can be extremely overwhelming and can cause
lots of communication breakdowns, and this tool can be a great way to provide
support to the communication partners during a difficult transition time.
3.
How/why would you use this tool? In what way will it be helpful? I would use this tool during a counseling portion of
the therapy session with both the AAC user and the communication partner
present. I would explain each tip and clarify any questions the client or
communication partner(s) has. I would then recommend that the tips get posted
somewhere visible (e.g., on the fridge) to serve as a regular reminder for
effective communication.
4.
What are the advantages of this tool/technique? During a very
overwhelming time for communication partners, this list is concise and simple
to understand. It can also be individualized for each client by adding personal
tips they have for their particular partners!
5.
Are there any disadvantages to this tool/technique? The tips may be more relevant for partners of
individuals who use speech generating devices, and some of the ideas may not be
specifically helpful for individuals who use other forms of AAC.
The next several questions relate to how you obtained
this resource:
6.
If you used an existing tool, answer these two
questions:
a) Source/citation
for this tool: (whether published, or from a course, or SPHSC materials) This list came from an article published on the Speech
Language Pathology-Audiology Advance website called The Communication Partner in AAC (website address: http://speech-language-pathology-audiology.advanceweb.com/Article/The-Communication-Partner-in-AAC.aspx).
b) Did you
modify this tool? If so, in what way? I made mild modifications by changing pronouns like “I”
and “me” to “the AAC user” in the second list to make it more general.
c) Anything you
still don’t like about it and may change in the future? Although I might individualize the list of tips while
working with each client and his/her communication partner(s), I think this
list is a great start!
Tips For Communication When You Meet an AAC User:
1. Introduce yourself.
2. Ask the person to show you how he or she
communicates.
3. Say how you indicate 'yes.'
4. Wait for the communicator to construct a
message.
5. Give the person an opportunity to ask
questions or make comments.
6. Don't finish the person's message unless you
first ask permission.
7. Interact at eye level.
8. Pay close attention to facial expressions and
gestures.
9. Be honest. If you don't understand, admit it.
10. Talk directly to the person.
–Sarah Blackstone, PhD, CCC-SLP
Favorite Communication Partners Do The Following
When Communicating:
• Have real conversations with the user.
• Have a genuine interest in what the user says.
• Have an ease to their communication.
• Understand the user’s speech speech.
• Are patient when the user operates the
devices.
• Are comfortable with moments of silence.
• Make an effort to interpret gestures and
signs.
• Admit when they don't understand what the user
has said.
–from a 1999 survey of AAC users by Sarah
Blackstone, PhD
Social Networks: Five Circles
of Communication
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