'Low-Tech Dynamic Displays': 'User friendly' Multi-level communication books

摘要

Young children who are learning to communicate need access to sufficient vocabulary to meet their present communication requirements and to stimulate the further development of their communication and language skills. Discovering strategies that approximate these vocabulary requirements for children who use aided symbols to communicate has long been an aspiration for AAC professionals. Many different, often complementary, strategies are presently employed to expand the range and improve the organisation of aided symbol vocabulary including generic communication boards and books, multiple environment / activity / topic displays, fixed displays, dynamic displays, category arrangements, branching arrangements, message encoding. Whilst the present availability of "high tech" communication devices with multiple levels, dynamic displays and / or iconic encoding, has significantly expanded the possibilities to provide children with access to a broad range of vocabulary, children require "low technology" solutions due to issues such as cost, their present ability to functionally operate the technology, and / or the technology does not suit all of their communication requirements.