Topic 4.2: Features of Aided Communication

Renee: Although AAC systems vary, aided communication systems usually include four critical features: a method of access, a form of representation, a display, and a type of output. Let’s look at each feature one at a time.

Maya: Method of access means how the student activates or selects a message. That could be direct selection, such as touching, pushing, pointing, or looking at a choice. It could also be scanning, where options are presented in sequence, and the student signals when they reach the target message.

Renee: The second feature is representation. Representation means how the system shows the content. Common forms include real objects, photos, iconic pictures, line drawings, and print. The best choice depends on what the student can understand and access.

Maya: The third feature is the display. Displays can be static or dynamic. In a static display, the options stay in the same place. In a dynamic display, the screen changes after the student makes a selection, giving access to more vocabulary or more specific choices.

Renee: Displays can also be organized in different ways. A grid display shows choices in rows and columns. A visual scene display uses a familiar picture or environment, and the student communicates by selecting something within the scene. Visual scenes can provide helpful context for beginning communicators and may have grid-based messages surrounding the picture or video.

Maya: The fourth feature is output. Visual output shows the message through objects, pictures, symbols, or print. Voice output speaks the message aloud. Devices with voice output may use recorded speech or synthesized speech. When possible, the voice should fit the student’s age and identity.

Renee: Feature matching is really about asking practical questions: How can the student access the system? What representations make sense to the student? How should the display be organized? And what type of output will help the student communicate with others?

Let’s keep those features visible as we move into examples of no tech, low tech, and high-tech systems.

Form of Display

  • Static
  • Dynamic

Display Organization

  • Grid
  • Visual scene display

Method of Access

  • Direct Selection
  • Scanning

Representations

  • Representations
  • Real objects
  • Photos
  • Iconic pictures
  • Line drawing
  • Print

Type of Output

  • Visual
  • Voice