Hi Antoinette,

It sounds like part of what he is talking about are conversation control strategies....

In terms of using an SGD, some useful strategies-

1. Create pre-programmed Conversation Control messages which say things like-

Hold on... 
Hold on....I have something to say about that
I need a minute to put together my message....
That's not what I meant...

etc.

These "conversation control" messages could either be programmed cells, abbreviation expansions or message codes. Ideally, for many people, these would be spoken, not written messages.

2. Have a page of exclamations/responses (again, generally spoken, not written).

I remember there was a nice page of interjections/responses on one of the Dynavox interfaces. But the person/service provider could also create "quick responses" based on the users preferences, things like...

- Interesting...
- Really?

etc...

I have some more thoughts about conversation control, user preferences and also low tech, but I'll write more over the weekend...

Take care,
Margaret

Margaret Cotts
Assistive Technology Specialist
Low Tech Solutions
xxxxxx@lowtechsolutions.org 




From: "xxxxxx@improveability.com" <xxxxxx@improveability.com>
To: ALS AT Listserv <xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com>
Sent: Friday, July 8, 2016 10:14 AM
Subject: How to have more natural conversations with AAC

Hello AAC peeps,

I got the following question from a PALS that I would like to get additional feedback on:

"I am now effectively at a point where people can no longer understand me when I speak, except when I use individual words like yes. no, hungry, etc.  But no sentences; they come out slow and slurred.  I've taken the first step; I have a Tobii-Dynavox and am learning how to use it.  But that doesn't address how to actually be part of an interchange with people and even with my wife.  I feel like there's this person inside me bottled up that can't get out.

Maybe this is just a pipe dream but Is there any good literature that is available that would help me and other people to know how to achieve this?"

I already gave him some pointers on how to facilitate AAC use, such as letting people know if it is ok to guess and waiting for him to finish.  I also shared with him some low tech options, but I would like to know others thoughts on this.

Thanks for your feedback. 

Sincerely,

Antoinette Verdone, MSBME, ATP
Owner, Rehabilitation Engineer
ImproveAbility, LLC
Office: 512-522-1705
Cell: 512-497-6026
Fax: 888-501-1009
3310 W Braker Lane, Suite 300-424, Austin TX 78758

DARS Provider# 1-274278960-0-000

"One cannot consent to creep when one has the impulse to soar" -- Helen Keller

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