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I. Vocabulary
& Symbols

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AAC Vendors

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AAC Home

I. Vocabulary
& Symbols

II. Features

III. Funding

AAC Glossary

AAC Vendors

AAC References

AAC Links

AAC Home

I. Vocabulary
& Symbols

II. Features

III. Funding

AAC Glossary

AAC Vendors

AAC References

AAC Links

Selection Set Features in AAC

Introduction
The selection set refers to the visual, auditory or tactile presentation of the available symbols (Beukelman & Mirenda, 1998). There are three types of displays that we will cover here::

1) Visual symbols
2) Auditory symbols
3) Tactile symbols

1. Visual Symbols: There are six types of visual symbols to consider. (These symbols may also have auditory output, but that will be covered later in this section.)

a. Alphabet for spelling: There are a number of devices with the alphabet as part or all of the selection set, for example:

     LightWriter from Zygo Inc.:

                  
          (Click picture to enlarge)

b. Words & phrases: There are also a number of devices and low tech strategies with a selection set comprised of words and phrases, for example:

     MessageMates from Words+:

                
          (Click picture to enlarge.)

     Daily Communicator from Interactive Therapeutics, Inc:

                
          (Click picture to enlarge.)

c. Line-drawings: Many low tech strategies and devices utilize line-drawings for the primary selection set:

     Communication Placemat for a Child:

          
          (Click picture to enlarge.)

     DynaVox 3100 from DynaVox Systems, Inc.:

                
          (Click picture to enlarge.)

d. Special abstract symbols: There are several devices, notably those sold by Prentke Romich Company with Minspeak encoding, that have special abstract symbols that permit multiple meanings:

     AlphaTalker from :Prentke Romich Co.

                
          (Click picture to enlarge.)

e. Photographs: Low tech strategies have used photographs for years. Some of the newer devices now permit photographs to be imported for use in the selection set, for example:

     DynaMyte from DynaVox Systems, Inc.:

                 
          (Click picture to enlarge.)

f. Combination of symbols: Most devices and low tech strategies use a combination of symbols, words and letters for an individual, such as this device::

     Pathfinder from Prentke Romich Co.:

                
          (Click picture to enlarge.)

2. Auditory Symbols: There are two types of auditory symbols: a) auditory scanning and b) auditory fishing. (Again, you will see that they also have visual symbols as well. We will focus here on what the user hears.)

a. Auditory scanning: Most of the large communication devices permit auditory scanning, where the items in the selection set are identified (e.g. spoken outloud) to the user during the scanning process. For more information on this method, visit Auditory Scanning and Alternative Communication or read about "Auditory Scanning"on the Augmentative Communication News Website. You will learn that auditory scanning can be used with a low tech strategy as well, in which case it is called "Partner Assisted Auditory Scanning".

Here are just a few of the many devices that can provide this auditory presentation of the selection set:

     DynaVox 3100 from DynaVox Systems, Inc.:

                
          (Click picture to enlarge.)

     LightWriter SL86 from Zygo Inc.: Note that this manufacturer uses the term "announce mode"

                
          (Click picture to enlarge.)

b. Auditory fishing: There is another type of auditory selection set that is somewhat less common: auditory fishing. This is a setting that allows the user to browse through the items on the display by touching keys and listening to the output at a reduced volume. When he or she finds the item that is desired, a second activation of the key will result in the output at a loud volume for others to hear. This option is only possible for individuals with sufficient motor control for direct selection. Unfortunately, this technique does not work very well with low tech boards, and as far as we know it is available on only two devices at this time:

     Pathfinder from Prentke Romich Co.:

                
          (Click picture to enlarge.)

     LightWriter from Zygo Inc.: Note that this manufacturer uses the term "announce mode" here as well

                
          (Click picture to enlarge.)

3. Tactile symbols: Two types of tactile symbols may be used as the selection set for either low tech communication boards or high tech devices.

a. Objects or partial objects: If these symbols are necessary, they require a large display to which these symbols can be attached, for example:

     Voice Pal Plus from Adaptivation, Inc.:

                
          (Click picture to enlarge)

b. Raised symbols or print: It is possible to convert some direct selection displays to accommodate raised symbols or print, including Braille.

Back to Understanding AAC Features

University of Washington, Dept. of Speech & Hearing Sciences, Tele-Collaboration Project. © 1999-2002 UW-SPHSC, including all photographs and images unless otherwise noted. Comments: tcollab@u.washington.edu. URL: http://depts.washington.edu/augcomm