Augmentative+and+Alternative+Communication+for+Autistic+and+Cerebral+Palsy+Students

= //Augmentative// // and Alternative Communication for Autistic and Cerebral Palsy Students //=

In the past decade alone, assistive technology has helped countless students with disabilities. **Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems (AAC)** have created a tremendous breakthrough for children with autism and cerebral palsy.



AACs for autistic and cerebral palsy students have evolved in the past few years. [|PECS], which is the Picture Exchange Communication System, has been around for decades and created a non-verbal effective way of providing students a way to communicate.

**Benefits PECS provide for Autistic and Cerebral Palsy Students**:
 * PECS creates a pathway to communication, which helps with behavioral management.
 * Gives non-verbal autistic and cerebral palsy students a “voice” that was once not available to them.
 * Dependent on the severity of the student, PECS creates a less-demanding use of fine motor skills in the hands in comparison to using a pencil.
 * Uses both words and pictures to to create a better environment for communication.
 * Is light-weight and portable; can be used to communicate outside of a classroom environment.

[|A journal on the benefits and risks of PECS]

However, in today's society the idea of PECS has evolved accordingly with the rise of technology. Devices, such as [|Dynavox], has taken the idea of PECS and created a virtual, interactive method of communicating while using technology to incorporate a voice. The screen of a Dynavox is a touch screen, making it easy for the student to interact with.


 * Benefits of the Dynavox:**
 * Requires little amount of fine motor skills (even fewer than the use of a PECS board) for students with severe cases of cerebral palsy.
 * Is interactive and engaging- creates a realistic voice to interact with others.

//**Two Dynavox Success Stories: Sara and Slade**//

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**//Up and coming for AAC: Apple Products and Applications//**



The iPad, iPod touch, and the iPhone have up and coming applications that provide many of the same characteristics as the PECS and Dynavox plus many more features. There are applications that help students communicate, such as:
 * [|Proloquo2Go]
 * [|TapToTalk]
 * [|My First AAC]

These applications have images that are found used on the Dynavox. Alongside that, Mac products offer many applicationss that can be used for academics. Many applications that are bought are more affordable if bought for a desktop. The iPad, iPod, and iPhone are lightweight and accessible. The cost of these products becomes a valuable investment because of all the applications available.

Sources:

//Dynavox //. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.dynavoxtech.com. //PECS USA. // (2012). Retrieved from []. //Io cresco.//(2011). Retrieved from []