ARATA 2014 National Conference – Actively Choosing Technology
The 2012/2013 LAMP (Language Acquisition Through Motor
Planning) Pilot Project at St Giles
Peter Hockley and Katie Greatbatch
Abstract
St Giles in Tasmania conducted a pilot project in 2012/13 to investigate how it could
offer the LAMP approach to clients and families. LAMP (Language Acquisition
Through Motor Planning) is an approach that enables children with Autism Spectrum
Disorders and other children with complex communication needs, to develop
communication skills by using a speech generating device. The pilot had three
phases. The first set up training and resources, the second established clinical and
funding models. The third evaluated outcomes for clients, and gathered qualitative
feedback from families and staff. Positive outcomes for clients and positive feedback
from parents and therapists about the pilot resulted in the decision to provide LAMP
as an ongoing therapy option at St Giles in 2014 and beyond. This presentation
outlines the LAMP pilot as well as the move to a broader implementation of LAMP
including establishing clinical competencies and acquiring LAMP Certification through
the Center for AAC and Autism.
Summary
This presentation describes the process of piloting the LAMP (Language Acquisition
Through Motor Planning) alternative and augmentative communication approach
across two large early intervention centres in Tasmania. The pilot resulted in positive
outcomes for children and their families, and led to broader implementation of the
approach.
More details
In 2011 and 2012, St Giles Speech Pathologists reported positive outcomes for their
clients when implementing the LAMP approach. These positive outcomes and
families requesting more speech generating device based therapy interventions
created the challenge of how to offer the LAMP approach consistently and effectively
across the two main St Giles centres based in Hobart and Launceston. The LAMP
Pilot Project was designed to propose and trial models for training for staff, models of
therapy intervention, as well as to outline and fund the resources required for the
intervention.
The LAMP Pilot Project started in December 2012 and was completed by the end of
2013. The pilot consisted of three phases.
The first phase set up the training and resources required to conduct LAMP therapy
with up to five families in each centre. This included the acquisition of dedicated
devices speech generating devices for each centre and sensory toys that were
allocated to the LAMP pilot. General information sessions on LAMP were offered to
all staff and specific training sessions were offered to the Speech Pathologists that
would be conducting the therapy with LAMP. Senior Occupational Therapists for the
pilot agreed that their role should be around assessing and supporting the sensory
needs of the client, with the option of looking at supporting Occupational Therapists
to become LAMP therapists after the pilot.
The second phase involved creating the clinical pathways for LAMP, and determining
how these fitted into existing core (state funded) services and HCWA services. The
proposed model for families on the LAMP Pilot included four initial therapy sessions,
four parent training sessions, leading to a four week trial of a dedicated device, and
then a review. Depending on outcomes from the therapy and the trial, the existing St
Giles Assistive Technology service would provide support to seek funding for the
communication device. It was identified the clinical model was to start implementation
of the LAMP approach and that often ongoing support would be required. Further
models or packages of support will be designed after the LAMP pilot.
The third phase evaluated phase one and two. Outcome for clients on the LAMP pilot
were reviewed, using online data forms, video taping of sessions and the Language
Activity Monitoring feature on the devices. Quantitative data recorded the acquisition
of words on the device as well as verbal acquisition of words. Qualitative data
recorded families and therapists experience of using the LAMP approach.
Positive data and outcomes led to the agreement by St Giles management that
LAMP should be provided as an ongoing therapy option for families. To support this
transition to a broader implementation, further clinical competencies were developed
for staff that will use LAMP, and St Giles sought certification for their therapists and
Centre of Excellence status for the two St Giles centres. Certification enabled
ongoing contact and support from the US based developers of the LAMP approach,
via videoconferencing.