Communication+book

//1. Who needs this assistive technology?//
For some people, even the act of speech and verbalizing with peers is something that requires a little extra effort. Persons whose physical and mental limitations prohibit them from communicating verbally can use communication books. This tool could be utilized by all of these persons to some degree, regardless of age. This product from Prentke Romich Company is the Springboard Plus and notes in its ad that, "SpringBoard can be an excellent starting point for the child or adult just beginning the augmentative communication process. SpringBoard can also be the next step for someone who has demonstrated success with [|manual communication boards] or static display devices with limited message capacity. SpringBoard is flexible, easy to customize and easy to support. Available Options that must be specified at the time of purchase include Integrated Headpointing and PCS Symbols."
 * 1) [|www.prentrom.com]
 * 2) [|www.assistivetech.com]

//2. What is the history of the assistive technology?//
"Assistive technology is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices and the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence for people with disabilities by enabling them to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. Although, Cook & Hussey (2001)[1] report this term is usually not used for rehabilitative devices and for devices that able-bodied find useful. According to disability advocates, technology is often created without regard to people with disabilities, creating unnecessary barriers to hundreds of millions of people." (Taken from Wikipedia.com) Communication devices have come a long way in their development, taking assistive technology one step further. For many years, persons with speech disabilities were unable to communicate very effectively. Signing was more commonly used, but necessitated each person know the language. Pictoral signs and flash-card like tools were the first forms of communication books, but had no real electronic, technological aspect to them. The need of a product to accelerate communication is evident, now more than ever: [|"An estimated two million Americans experience some type of communication disability. Many of these people have no speech at all and also have other physical disabilities that preclude expressive communication using hand signs, writing or typing. AAC devices provide an avenue for these persons to realize independent communication. In fact, tens of thousands of people use AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) devices today and many experience full participation in society."]
 * 1) [|www.prentrom.com]
 * 2) [|www.assistivetech.com]
 * 3) [|www.wikipedia.com]

//3. What benefits does the assistive technology provide?//
The IDEA, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, was amended in 2004 and the law requires that children with disabilities be educated in the "least restrictive environment appropriate” to meet their “unique needs.” And the IDEA contemplates that the "least restrictive environment" analysis will begin with placement the regular education classroom. This “environment” as mentioned above, could be made with tools such as communication books, assuming that the person’s special need be associated to speech. Inclusion is one possible benefit of this assistive technology. Another, is just the clarity and result of minimal confusion and frustration as these students who could not communicate can now express themselves, even if that just means pointing out a picture of a blue coat and green shoes to indicate daily attire. Also, family members and friends of those users of AAC devices were found to have seen benefits intra-familiarly by being able to communicate more thoroughly.
 * 1) [|Benefits for Family Members][[image:kid.JPG width="214" height="246" align="right" link="http://www.prentrom.com"]]
 * 2) [|IDEA Site][[image:file:moz-screenshot.jpg]]
 * 3) [|www.prentrom.com]

//4. How does the assistive technology work?//
Students, or whomever uses this assistive technology, are presented with numerous pictures that are either viewable onscreen or through a flip-book type of resource. The pictures represent applicable and practical words in which the user can point to in order to indicate what he or she desires. For example, one page may consist of picture-lists of words for breakfast meals: pancakes, bacon, milk, orange juice, or fruit. Each word has different types of more detailed words around the picture. The detail can be less or greater depending on what kind of communication book one acquires. Because this assistive technology in particular is so very complicated in its production, pieces can range in cost from 495.00 to even 7000.00 and sometimes even into the ten's of thousands of dollars. The most expensive pieces that the Prentke Romich Company markets is their Pathfinder Plus costing 7,295.00. It may be possible to get funding for such products from schools in order to lighten the monetary load for parents or adults using this assistive technology. [|This link to Assistive Technology Inc.'s website provides some information regarding finances.]


 * 1) [|www.prentrom.com]
 * 2) [|www.assistivetech.com]



//5. Exemplary examples of how the assistive technology would be integrated into an english classroom.//
Because self-expression is so vital to writing, an important aspect of English, being able to communicate is also very important. Depending on how developed a student is due to his or her disability, a communication book may or may not be applicable to them. If however, a completely nonverbal student was asked questions that chronologically fell into the order of a story, “writing” may be possible. Even so, writing is just one facet to English education. Grammar worksheets, and small multiple choice based tests could also be completed by using a communication book. Supplementary software is also available for these devices. This software can be loaded or added to a communication device to add to the learning experience. The following is from the Prente Romich Company and provides services for writing, titled WordQ: [|"WordQ software is a writing tool used along with standard Windows word processing software to provide spelling, grammar, and punctuation assistance. It uses advanced word prediction to suggest words for you to use and provides spoken (text-to-speech) feedback. Users of all ages who have problems writing and editing can benefit, including those who have a learning disability such as Dyslexia, or who are learning English as a second language."]

Additional software from Assistive Technology Inc. provides software for areas outside of Language Arts. [|Click here to learn more.] Home=
 * 1) [|www.prentrom.com]
 * 2) [|www.assistivetech.com]