PSN Issue
As a person with a voice, it’s hard to imagine not
being able to express yourself. But just for a moment, try to think of living
without one, and how the world would just pass right around you.
For the first time in his life, Danny Wong, an individual served at AHRC’s
Weingold Adult Day Center, was able to speak “No More Cuts” with a group of
family members, friends, individuals and professionals from the field of
developmental disabilities who were protesting healthcare cuts outside of Assemblyman
Sheldon Silver’s office this past November.
With the use of an assistive augmentative communication device (AAC), Danny got
to participate in the protest, rather than stand on the sidelines, watching
others speak for him.
As AHRC’s Assistive Technology Specialist Lorraine Cohen, M.S., put it, “…some
of these individuals are 25 years old, and they’ve never been able to tell
someone what their name is”. Just to be able to push a button and say, my name
is—, imagine that feeling…a name is who you are.
Up to 50 percent of all individuals with autism cannot meet their communication
needs using speech. This leads to frustration and often behavioral problems.
AAC devices offer a communicative outlet for nonverbal people who need to
express themselves.
AAC is the means with which non-verbal individuals are able to effectively
“voice” their wants, needs, preferences, feelings, and dislikes as well as
engage in meaningful communication. These means include: picture books,
wallets, mechanical devices, or most recently, high-tech, electronic
communication devices that provide voice output like the highly publicized iPod
Touch’s AAC app, Proloquo2Go.
Initially created for people with Parkinson’s Disease, AAC devices are now used
by agencies serving people with disabilities and traumatic brain injuries
(TBI), like AHRC New York City. Individuals with Autism tend to prefer visual
stimuli, like the buttons and subject lists offered in these devices.
The AAC device does require extensive training, involving not only the
individual who uses the device, but the parents/caregivers and direct care
staff. Areas of training include how to operate the device, program the
device, and use the device to develop language skills and improve meaningful
communication interactions.
The AAC devises are developed with a person-centered approach. This means that
each device is programmed with the individual’s preferences in mind. From the
vocabulary to the accent of the speaking “voice” and sound of the “voice”
itself, the user of the device is included in all design decisions.
Through AHRC’s Lending Library, Adult Day Services offers individuals the
opportunity to test out three to four different devices through its before
making a final product selection.
With 11 AHRC facilities currently using AAC devices, individuals throughout the
five boroughs are experiencing this phenomenon for the first time. Hector
Rodriguez and Luis Clemente—both AAC device users—actually conduct
campus tours at Bronx Community College using only their alternate
communication technology.
Feeling like a part of society has changed many AAC users behavior
dramatically. “Now that these women and men can ‘voice’ what’s bothering them,
they’re much less confrontational,” expressed Cohen. “They are just happier
with that freedom to express themselves”, he continued.
If you would like more information, please email or call me at your earliest
convenience. I also have a video of Luis’ tour, which gives a better
understanding of what AAC devices do for an individual. Attached are a few
photos of Luis and Hector using their devices, along with AHRC Assistive Tech
Specialist, Lorrain Cohen.
The
following link shows Luis Clemente giving a campus tour at Bronx Community College with only his AAC Device.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=1198012201889
Disclaimer: All information on this site is of a general nature and is furnished for knowledge and understanding only.