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Selecting Vocabulary with the Independent Communicator
1. Speed enhancement: This is done in two ways:
2. Fatigue Reduction: decreasing the number of key-strokes
1. Make sure the AAC user is a partner: Too often, the AAC user is the "client" or the "subject" of this intervention, when actually he or she should have a primary role here. Any vocabulary decisions should involve him or her in an age-appropriate manner. 2. Make sure access to AAC is efficient: AAC users and teams should not embark on speed enhancement techniques if the access or selection method itself could be made more efficient. Make sure you involve experts in access to technology, typically including OTs, PTs and AAC specialists. Here is a good reference regarding this topic:
When an AAC user feels that speed enhancement or fatigue reduction are important goals, there are several strategies that can be considered. Some of these strategies can be used on any system, regardless of the symbol set or technology utilized. Some strategies are only possible if the individual is already using a particular system or device. 1. Pre-programmed Messages: Identifying and storing important, predictable and/or lengthy messages as whole units. These messages have to be available for quick retrieval and use so this must be done in conjunction with technique #2 or #3 below. For example, the AAC user might welcome an easy way to produce messages
such as: There are other examples of "control" phrases that serve this purpose among the other vocabulary at The Barkley Augmentative and Alternative Communication Center Website at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. 2. Arrangement of vocabulary for quick retrieval: Urgent pre-programmed messages have to be programmed in such a way that they can be called up quickly. Unless codes are used (see below) then a direct selection system would require these messages to be on a master screen accessible from all other screens and in a location the user can get to very quickly. 3. Message encoding for quick retrieval: Messages can be programmed so that they can be retrieved with a code of 2 or 3 keystrokes. There are many types of coding systems including:
4. Consistency of selection set: According to Prentke-Romich, Inc. Minspeak encoding results in the fastest overall communication rates in part because of "automaticity": the selection set remains the same so communication can become automatic. There is considerable debate about this claim.
5. Prediction: There are many ways that a device or a partner can predict the next selection or selections during communication. For example:
There is considerable debate about whether and to what extent prediction
increases the overall rate of communication. These debates are going on
fast and furiously in our field. You should get more details as they unfold
from the following:
1. Enable the AAC user to program independently: The team must ensure that the AAC user has the knowledge and the tools to continue this technique indefinitely. He or she must be able to add messages using whatever speed enhancement technique is most appropriate. 2. Give the AAC user ways to train his partners: Some techniques require that the partners understand the speed enhancement technique. For example, if the individual is using alphabet letters or iconic symbols to retrieve messages, the partner must be taught to ignore those codes and wait for the message. Or if the user wants the partner to predict words during the conversation, then he must be able to instruct new partners in that technique. Each of these situations requires some pre-programmed messages for fast delivery during the training.
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I. Vocabulary 
