Tips on AAC Systems for Clients with Acquired Brain Injury

Implementing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) practices for people with acquired brain injury (ABI) requires a speech-language pathologist to delicately balance restoration goals with compensation strategies. The range of non-traditional communication tools gives us excellent options for setting up a system that allows clients to communicate in a variety of contexts. Matching a system to your client’s level of functioning, skills, preferences and needs can certainly present challenges. I find the following aids and devices useful for supporting clients with ABI across a range of skills by promoting their quality-of-life needs, managing impaired cognitive skills and facilitating their continued engagement in meaningful life roles. More on AAC: AAC Buy-In at Home Tapping Into the ‘Augmentative’ of AAC Billing for AAC: Device Type Helps Determine Codes Cognition Acquired brain injuries often result in some level of cognitive impairment, which can include deficits in orientation, attention, executive functioning and memory. Such cognitive deficits can impede a person’s social participation, family interactions and vocational success by fostering dependence on others for managing daily tasks. Introducing a system of assistive technology as a compensatory strategy early in treatment can significantly improve daily living activities. I frequently use the tools listed below to address the cognitive needs of people with ABI. Orientation Orientation board...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Speech-Language Pathology Augmentative Alternative Communication Health Care Language Disorders Speech Disorders Technology Traumatic Brain Injury Source Type: blogs