Information Kit for AAC Teams
Planning for a Communication Device Trial
Trialling a communication aid is another part of the dynamic assessment process. It is
typically not a lengthy period, so the time you have with the device should be used
productively. Outcomes from the trial will support any applications you may have for
funding. Having a clear and detailed plan before, during and after the trial will assist in
getting the most out of this time.
BEFORE THE TRIAL
The augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) team have collected enough
information from ongoing assessment and have recommended that a communication
device will greatly enhance the child’s communication.
What next?
Ensure everyone has a good understanding about the range of communication
devices available and their features. The team may wish to look some up on the
internet to gain more detail or visit a specialist equipment centre (such as the
Independent Living Centre or CPTech at The Centre for Cerebral Palsy) that will be
able to demonstrate some devices. As a team, match the communication device
features as best you can to the information you have gathered about the child during
the assessment process (see Template 3b).
Once you have narrowed down your choices to the likely possibilities, don’t forget to
include the child and the entire team in deciding which device/s to trial. It is ok and
very common for people to trial more than one device to help them make a decision.
Before committing to the trial, assign roles and responsibilities to the AAC team
members to maximise the chance of success. You can use Template 4a at the end of
this section.
Involvement and commitment of the whole AAC team during the trial is very important,
therefore discuss together when will be the best time for everyone to be involved. For
example you may prefer to book the trial during the school term as opposed to school
holidays so that the device may be trialled at school as well as home. Family/work/
school commitments may be particularly hectic for a certain period or team members
may be away on holiday and need to postpone the trial until a more convenient time.
Contact the appropriate loan centre or supplier to book the trial (refer to sheet 4.1).
Begin looking into funding options for the purchase of a device if you have not already
done so (see Section 5).
“Definitely trial a few…don’t just go
with what you’ve seen…There’s so
many out there.”
(Parent of a child who uses AAC)
October 2010
Trialling a Communication Device 4.2
So the AAC team have booked the device they think will best suit the child and his family,
but there is a waiting period. Don’t worry! This is the perfect time to get prepared!
What next?
If the child does not already have a communication board or book, set one up that
reflects the way the words and messages will be presented and organised on the
communication device so the child can get practicing.
If they do already have a communication board or book, update it to better reflect the
communication device you are about to trial or ensure it is being highly utilised at
home and school.
Begin to identify activities at home and school that would make good opportunities to
use the communication device when it arrives – see Templates 4c and 4d.
Some device programming software can be downloaded from the internet or provided
by the supplier on CD - so you could get familiar with it before the device arrives. With
some software, you can set up personalised pages for the child then download them to
the communication device when it arrives. This allows you to start using the device
straight away with the child when it arrives rather than spending precious trial time
programming the device. Also, the child may be able to practice using the
personalised pages on the computer before the communication device arrives.
If a download of the software isn’t available, access the same device for a day at the
Independent Living Centre to set up some personalised pages for the child. Save to a
memory stick for loading when your trial device arrives. Or explore the available page
sets that come standard with the device so you know where to start when the device
arrives.
Meet with the entire team and set goals for the trial – see information sheet 4.3.
Read more about AAC teaching strategies – see Section 6.
If you have a rough idea when the communication device is due to arrive, start
blocking out time in your diary to support the trial – the more the better as it will take
more time than you think. Liaise with the other team members to make times to meet
during the trial.
DURING THE TRIAL
The device has arrived!
What next?
The AAC member who is responsible for the operation of the device should familiarise
themselves with the basics and train the rest of the core team. Don’t take too long
with this – you will learn more along the way.
Make the device available to the child as much as possible and utilise your activity
plan (Templates 4c and 4d).
Keep a communication device trial diary to note positives and negatives – see
Template 4e.
October 2010
Trialling a Communication Device 4.2
Keep in regular contact with all members of the team – even a simple concern or issue
could result in lost time during the trial if not resolved quickly.
If possible, take photos and videos of the person using the communication device to
help with evaluating goals, team discussions and funding applications.
Extend the trial if needed – this is a big decision and you need lots of good information
to make it. Contact your supplier and funder to arrange this, preferably two weeks
before the previous end date for the trial.
AFTER THE TRIAL
The communication device has been sent back to the supplier/centre.
What next?
Organise a meeting to discuss the outcome of the trial with the AAC team.
Refer back to the trial diary, videos etc to assist your decision-making process.
If it is agreed that the trial was successful and the device should be purchased – begin
your funding applications.
If the trial was not successful, discuss the options with the team. These may include:arranging another trial with the same device if the team feels that not enough
information was gathered in the first trial to make a decision either way
trialling a different device (this is quite common and a good idea if you still feel
strongly that a communication device is necessary and that a device with
different features may better suit the person)
developing low-tech communication systems further instead
establishing switching and scanning skills further before re-trialling
gathering further information/additional assessment
KEY POINTS
A communication device trial will require extra time, effort and patience from
all team members. If you are aware of this, you can plan this into your
family life, school day and caseload as much as possible.
Families need to let the team know of any upcoming holidays or significant
events that will make a trial difficult.
Remember that the trial period should be representative of normal daily life.
If evenings in your family are normally pretty hectic, then accommodating a
child with a communication device into that routine is the reality.
Waiting times are not wasted times – they provide crucial preparation time.
A well-prepared trial will ensure good decisions can be made about
purchasing a communication device for the child and greatly assist in
funding applications.
October 2010
Trialling a Communication Device 4.2
This handout is part of an information package, funded by a NGCS grant, to assist local
teams in supporting children who require augmentative and alternative communication particularly communication devices. Augmentative and alternative communication, or
AAC, refers to other methods of communication people may use when they have
difficulty speaking. These methods may supplement what speech they do use or may
become the primary form of communication in the absence of speech.
This handout may be reproduced for teaching purposes/use with clients.
© Rocky Bay 2010 Positive AACtion Information Kit for AAC Teams
October 2010
Trialling a Communication Device 4.2