High-tech Communication Tools
"GoTalk 4+." Photo. mayer-johnson.com. June 18, 2013
http://www.mayer-johnson.com "Dynavox Xpress Speech Generating Device." Photo.
Dynavoxtech.com June 18, 2013 http://www.Dynavoxtech.com Sources:
Dell, A., Newton, D., & Petroff, G. (2012). Assistive Technology in the Classroom (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. Gierach, J. (ed.). (2009). Assessing Students' Need for Assistive Technology (5th ed). Milton, WI: Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative. |
Simple Speech Generating Devices - add a voice to a user's communication board. When using an unvoiced communication board, users can communicate only when their communication partner is looking at them and the board. When voice is added, communication can be more effective. It is important to match the voice on the device to the age and gender of the user. Simple speech generating devices typcally have a limited number of symbols and phrases available. They are small and portable and powered by batteries. After mastering a simple speech generating device, a user may move one to more sophisticated devices. Some simple speech generating devices include Voice Pal Levels: http://www.adaptivation.com/product_detail.php?ID=72 and GoTalk devices http://www.mayer-johnson.com/gotalk-4 Speech Generating Devices with Levels are more sophisticated than simple speech generating devices . Speech Generating Devices with Levels offer a much greater amount of vocabulary and a much greater capacity to express longer, more complex messages. These devices have multiple overlays with vocabulary suited to different situations. A drawback to these devices is that students can require assistance to change overlays. Some examples of Speech Generating Devices with levels are: Boardmaker Pad http://nz.mayer-johnson.com/products/boardmaker-activity-pad/ Speech Generating Devices utilizing Dynamic Displays These devices allow the user to move through a variety of on-screen overlays as they make communication choices. Dynamic displays change as the user makes choices, eliminating the need for users to remember the location of multiiple symbols. These devices range in size, but some are large and heavy. Some examples of a speech generating device with dynamic displays are: Tobii C Series http://www.tobii.com/assistive-technology/global/hidden-pages/tobii-c-series-family/ Dynavox Devices http://www.dynavoxtech.com/default.aspx |
This video shows the way that augmentative communication can change the lives of people who lack the ability to communicate. The boy in this video has autism. He is using a Dynavox speech generating device, but many different types of augmentative communication devices impact the lives of many different kinds of people.
Dynavox Mayer-Johnson, (2008, December 17). Timmy Swindale - Dynavox: Autism AAC Success Story. Retrieved June 18, 2013
from, http://youtu.be/Mf010cq_Kvk
from, http://youtu.be/Mf010cq_Kvk