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AAC Competencies

The document discusses the "4+1" skill areas that guide AAC intervention: operational competence, functional/social competence, linguistic competence, strategic competence, and emotional competence. These AAC competencies are used to determine intervention goals tailored to an individual user's needs and abilities. The descriptions provide examples of skills targeted under each competency area to guide intervention.

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Lee Ken
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16 views1 page

AAC Competencies

The document discusses the "4+1" skill areas that guide AAC intervention: operational competence, functional/social competence, linguistic competence, strategic competence, and emotional competence. These AAC competencies are used to determine intervention goals tailored to an individual user's needs and abilities. The descriptions provide examples of skills targeted under each competency area to guide intervention.

Uploaded by

Lee Ken
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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AAC USER ABILITIES: AAC COMPETENCIES

~definitions of “4 + 1” skill areas for guiding AAC intervention~

Successful use of AAC includes proficiency in key four areas of competence. A fifth area
(emotional competence) is suggested by Blackstone and Wilkins (2009). AAC Competencies
guide our intervention and goal creation. Depending on the needs and abilities of the user of
AAC, various AAC Competencies will be targeted in treatment and intervention. Goals are
then based upon the user competencies and individualized for the user.

Use the descriptions below to determine which competencies are most appropriate to target
with your user of AAC.
 Operational Competence: the skills required to use the AAC system or device.
o Power device on and off, navigation, volume control etc.

 Functional/Social Competence: social skills that are involved in communication, such as skills in
initiating, maintaining, and terminating communicative interactions in a socially, culturally, and
contextually appropriate manner.
o Use of SGD to complete interactions, communicate intent, repair communication breakdowns,
etc.

 Linguistic Competence: the degree of receptive and expressive language development and knowledge
of the linguistic code that is intended for use on the AAC system
o Improving language use, expanding utterances, using appropriate grammar, syntax, etc.

 Strategic Competence: special skills that are unique to AAC-based communication, such as the ability to
gain the listener's attention prior to selecting a symbol on a communication board, checking for partner
comprehension, and repairing communicative breakdowns
o Identifying communication breakdowns, knowing which AAC system to use in a given situation

 Emotional Competence: the development of an emotional vocabulary and utilizing that lexicon to
relay feelings, beliefs, and thoughts.
o Awareness of emotions; empathy, self-regulation, self-efficacy

Light, J.C., Beukelman, D.R., & Reichle, J. (Eds.). (2003). Communicative competence for individuals who use augmentative
and alternative communication. Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co.

Sarah W. Blackstone and David P. Wilkins (2009). Exploring the Importance of Emotional Competence in Children With
Complex Communication Needs. In: Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 18, 78-87.

Additional references at http://rastresources.com

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