Development of AAC Vocabulary·Symbol System for the Users with Language Impairments

Park, Eun Hye; Snell, Martha; Allaire, Jane

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Commun Sci Disord. 2004;9(3): 118-138.

Eun Hye Park^` , Martha Snell^` , and Jane Allaire^`

박은혜(Eun Hye Park)| Martha Snell, Jane Allaire

ABSTRACT

Increasing numbers of studies have recently been reported from Korea regarding AAC application. However, relatively little information about vocabulary, symbol selection issues and procedures have been reported. This study tried to suggest a basic framework that can be used for developing future AAC assessment protocol. First, three important AAC assessment models were reviewed: The participation model, the social filter model, and the social network model. The common concepts of those assessment models were then extracted: The assessment of the specific abilities of the AAC user and the ecological variables, and inclusion and assessment consideration for beginning communicators(or users with severe disabilities) were done. Second, specific issues and procedures of AAC vocabulary and symbol selection were studied by reviewing related literature. Concepts such as coverage vocabulary, developmental vocabulary, symbol iconicity, and symbol transparency are explained. Third, the basic AAC vocabulary and symbol assessment frame work for Korean special educators and speech therapists are discussed, and this is based on the previous AAC assessment concepts that we reviewed. Future research on the development of more specific and practical AAC assessment protocol is suggested.