Talk Shop 2013 takes place 21st of June at the Daventry Court Hotel.

Friday 21st of June, 2013, will see Trabasack once again attending the annual Talk Shop – the national Speech & Language and Occupational therapy conference.

Trabasack can be used to mount a microphone to encourage speech

The Talk Shop fair is a one day conference that brings together Speech and Language and Occupational Therapists from around the country to discuss ideas, ignite creativity in the field and keep up-to-date with available resources.

Talk Shop is the ideal location for therapists to meet up with others in the field, and gives them an opportunity to discuss their teaching and therapy methods, share stories and learn how others help their patients get the most from therapy.

By providing a forum for those in the SLT and OT profession, Talk Shop can help keep the field of communication therapy fresh and creative. As each patient in need of communication therapy will have their strengths and weaknesses, many therapist will have unique stories to tell, and having a chance to chat and share experiences can help provide new approaches for speech and language therapy.

TalkShop Workshops 2013

This year Talk Shop will be providing 4 unique and in-depth workshops for parents, carers, SLTs and OTs to take part in.

Apps for use in Therapy

With the fast changing technology that is now available for use in communication therapy, Talk Shop have chosen to present a workshop dedicated to iPads and apps as communication and sensory aids. This workshop will be hosted by Richard Hirstwood, well known for his passionate and experienced approach to multi sensory therapy. He will be talking about how to use iPads for children and adults with additional needs, to engage, motivate and to help connect with those who have communication issues. He will also share ideas for creating multi-sensory experiences for children using toys and environments, as well as touch-screen technology. For a sneak-peak of Richard’s work, you can visit his website www.multi-sensory-room.co.uk

Auditory Processing – ‘The Importance of a Full Sensory Assessment’

The next workshop on offer is Auditory Processing – The importance of a Full Sensory Assessment. Alan Heath, head of the workshop, has taken part in a number of Talk Shop events over the years, and is back again to discuss how the complex mix of all 5 senses allows a child or adult with additional needs to understand the world around them. He will talk about how issues with processing one of the senses can impact upon the processing of the other four, and in turn general daily functioning. For more information on Alan’s work, visit his website www.learning-solutions.co.uk

An Introduction to TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy for Feeding and Speech

Next up is the introduction to TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy workshop. TalkTools products and systems were developed in the USA and are specifically targeted at helping therapist aid patients with speech and feeding issues. The workshop includes information on motor and sensory issues that can affect speech and feeding, and therapy techniques that utilise oralsensory/ motor tools. Helen Woodrow is heading the workshop, and is an accredited level 4 TalkTools Therapist, making her the most experienced TalkTools therapist in Europe. You can find out more about Helen and her TalkTools experience by visiting her website www.eg-training.co.uk

We have been using TalkTools with our son who has Dravet Syndrome. They have really helped him with his eating and drinking and we shall continue to tell other parents about them.

‘How do you SLOT in? Joint SLT and OT working’

The final workshop available on the day is an in-depth look at what TalkShop is all about. The workshop is headed by Hayley and Jess – Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational Therapists respectively, they are highly experienced in their fields. Hayley and Jess are currently combining their skills and experience to create a new independent therapy practise called “We Do Therapy”. They will provide an interactive presentation covering how they met and came to work together, why setting up “We Do Therapy” was important to them, and plenty of hints and tips on how to work collaboratively on projects to achieve desired goals. For more information follow Hayley and Jess on twitter : @WeDoTherapy

Exhibitors and Learning Zones at TalkShop 2013

As well as a fantastic range of workshops for SLT and OT professionals, the TalkShop conference also includes a large selection of exhibitors each showcasing their products and communication aids. It is here that Trabasack will be demonstrating their multi-use lap tray bag and media mount, providing helpful ideas on how to get the most out of your Trabasack in relation to communication and sensory aids.

Trabasack being used for symbols and switches

The Learning Zones offer different environments for experimenting with and seeing various equipment and technology in action. This year sees four zones on offer – Tech Zone, featuring the latest in assistive, speech and interactive technologies. Then the Sensory Zone provides an area dedicated to providing the latest in engaging sensory equipment and experiences. The Classroom Zone is a ‘mock’ classroom which will showcase the most inclusive and innovative furniture and school equipment on the market. Lastly the Design Zone will allow you to see ideas that are still in development, get involved with prototypes and take part in discussion on how to develop innovative therapy tools.

Finally, there will be a “Day in the Life” presentation where companies and experts examine the daily equipment needs of children with additional needs, including everything from waking, hoisting, feeding, travelling and bathing. This presentation will demonstrate some of the products on offer from many of the exhibitors and will help provide you with ideas on new equipment that may help your own child.

Each attendee will receive a Talk Shop bag filled with resources and ideas.

TalkShop Venue and Ticket Bookings

TalkShop 2013 will take place on Friday, 21st of June at the Daventry Court Hotel, Northamptonshire. Doors open at 9:15am and the work shop and exhibits are available throughout the day until closing at 4:45pm. There is a large car park available for attendees and tickets are available for £55 per person. To book a place at TalkShop 2013 simple fill in the online form here or contact Louise Scrivener via phone 07881 523804 or email louise@talk-shop.org.

The video below is a little taste of the kind of information Alan Heath will provide during his sensory and iPad app workshop:

Sensory Communication – Sensory Stories

Hello everyone, my name is Joanna Grace and I write sensory stories for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities. I’m currently running a project on Kickstarter to create a set of these stories that families could use – please check it out, we only have a few days left!

Sensory stories have many things to offer children, one of which is the opportunity to develop communication. I’ll explain, but first I should tell you what a sensory story is!

What Are Sensory Stories?

Joanna’s Sensory Stories engage children’s 5 senses.

Sensory stories are constructed out of a combination of sensory experiences and text.

I aim to write stories in less than ten sentences. You might think you can’t get much of a story into so little text, but think of how much a poet can convey in a haiku, and think of the adage a ‘A picture speaks a thousand words’ and you’ve a start on imagining what could be in a sensory story.

I seek out rich sensory experiences to put into my stories, these needn’t be expensive things, it’s just a matter of viewing the world creatively and spotting things that would make a good experience. This can get you a few funny looks as you sniff things in shops, or feel them, but it’s a lot of fun. I aim to put at least one experience from each of the five famous senses into a story (did you have seven senses?)

Why sensory stimulation?

Your brain needs sensory input in order to develop and lay down neural pathways. An able bodied child can access a wide range of sensory stimuli for themselves, a child with physical disabilities will need help to access a range of stimuli. Sensory stories are a fun way of providing this support.

Communication Support for Children with Additional Needs

Sensory stories can support communication in children with profound and multiple learning disabilities in a number of ways:

Encouraging engagement

Researchers have found that some of the passivity they observe in individuals with profound and multiple learning disabilities is not down to the disability itself but to a learned helplessness that

Joanna uses a number of surprising yet familiar objects to illustrate her stories via the senses.

leaves the individual disengaged with the world. When you think about it, it is easy to see how, if you couldn’t easily access the world around you, you might begin to see it as not relevant to you and turn inwards seeking stimulation from within. In some cases this can also include self harm as a means of gaining stimulation. By introducing sensory experiences to individuals with profound and multiple learning disabilities you can encourage them to become interested in objects and people. This is a great first step towards communication.

Communication skills

Story telling is a wonderful form of communication that our ancestors enjoyed and that future generations will enjoy. It’s a way we bond ourselves together and form our identities. By sharing a story in a sensory way you can include someone who accesses the world in a purely sensory way in the experience of story telling. Aspects of the process of telling the story also support individuals in learning skills involved in communication, for example the turn taking nature of sharing the story: that I say the words, and then you experience the stimuli, echoes the turn taking nature of conversation: it’s your turn to speak, my turn to listen, then my turn to speak, your time to listen.

Expressing preferences

Joanna explains that even the most simple of objects can provide important sensory experiences.

People who care for individuals with profound and multiple learning disabilities try hard to personalise that care in a way that the individual would choose for themselves were they able to express themselves. Choices are made on our best discernment of what they individual with profound and multiple learning disabilities would want. Through sharing a sensory story with someone and noting their reactions carefully over time you can learning things like: they prefer the smell of lemons to the smell of roses, they enjoy the bang of a drum more than the ringing of a bell. These small insights can be used to personalise their care in a way that will be meaningful to them, for example by purchasing citrus shower gel rather than a floral one, or by using a drum as an alarm clock rather than a buzzer. Though small these things are immensely valuable to a person’s quality of life.

Supporting Joanna’s Sensory Story Project

I want sensory stories to be available for families to share at home, that’s my motivation for the project. The project ends at 5:22am EDT on May 21^st, please have a look before then. In exchange for backing the project you receive a reward of your choosing; there are many things on offer including sensory stories themselves. Come and join us.

To read more about Joanna’s Sensory Story Project and for further information on how to get involved in her Kickstarter project, click here to visit the Sensory Play Tray blog.

Sensory Stories are vital for reaching out to children with additional needs, especially those with communication issues who find it hard to express their understanding of the world around them through speech. Technology has progressed in leaps and bounds over the past decade, and now provides children with communication issues a new and immediate way to express their needs and wants through touch screen interaction, rather than relying on speech.

After you’ve checked out Joanna’s Kickstarter project, why not have a look through our informative posts that cover some fantastic apps to aid communication and our compendium of iPad apps that use augmentative and alternative communication to aid self-expression?

As we age many of us succumb to conditions and the natural effects of ageing which means communication and the use of other faculties becomes difficult. From macular degeneration to dementia, many conditions can affect communication and finding communication aids and devices for the elderly is a sensible move when looking to ensure quality of life is maintained. Obviously depending on the particular issues faced by the individual elderly person in question the requirements from a communication device will differ. The communication devices that we look are particularly valuable to the older people and can make a huge different to daily life.

Due to conditions such as dementia causing a decline in cognitive abilities, modern technologies are usually avoided when considering communication aids for the elderly. There is nothing to say that some people may be capable of communicating via an electronic AAC device in most instances introducing this new technology would just provide more confusion, hence the devices mentioned below being quite simplistic in comparison to many on the market.

Menuboard

A simple, communicative menuboard

Simple and straightforward, Menuboard allows an elderly person who may have become non-verbal or has non-verbal periods to put across what they want to eat. Obviously eating is a basic human right and choosing your own meals is something integral to remaining independent. Alternatively, this board can be used in a care home environment to signify to groups of elderly people what’s arranged for meal times.

Aquapaint

Aquapaint has been developed specifically for those living with dementia and is designed to promote conversation and communication through art therapy. Not only do they promote communication, water-based aqua paints are able to provide endless stimulation and the finished product can instil a sense of pride in individuals who are struggling to deal with the rapid onset of the disease.

We’d also suggest users trying out Aquapaints could consider a Trabasack lap tray as the perfect painting surface, especially when topped with a Trabasack non-slip mat, keeping the surface of the lap tray perfectly clean thanks to the non-slip mat’s protective covering. The Trabasack sits comfortably on your lap without exerting pressure and provides the perfect portable table.

This video shows Aquapaint in action:

Talking Mats

Talking Mats Low-Tech Communication Aid

Talking Mats are a further low-tech communication device, simply comprising pictures, words and the requirement of the individual to point out or nod towards their specific request or requirement. They can help with the expression of feelings as well as giving directions and are extremely simple, providing an anxiety-free communication method without the need to worry about modern technology.

These are just thee communication devices which could benefit the older people. There are many more on the market which may suit individuals and of course, each person has their own personal requirements, strengths and weaknesses  so may suit a different type of device altogether.

]]> http://communicationaids.info/communication-aids-elderly/feed/ 0 aac,aac communication,assistive technology,communication,communication device,communication devices for older people,helping older people communicate,Occupational therapy,communication aids for the elderly Communication Aids for the Elderly Communication aids for the elderly reviewed and explained. Some ideas and suggestions for older people. aac,aac communication,assistive technology,communication,communication device,communication devices for older people,helping older people communicate,Occupational therapy,communication aids for the elderly Menu Board Communication Device Talking Mats Communication Device http://communicationaids.info/communication-aids-children-autism/ http://communicationaids.info/communication-aids-children-autism/#comments Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:07:11 +0000 Beth http://communicationaids.info/?p=551 Communication Aids for Children with Autism

Autism is a developmental disability which affects the way an individual is able to communicate with and understand other people and the world around them. There are varying degrees of autism, which is why the condition is considered spectral with individuals diagnosed with the condition to a particular degree. Individuals with an autistic spectrum disorder will all share similar qualities but they may be more or less pronounced depending on the severity of the condition. There are individuals with autism who can communicate verbally with no significant difficulties whilst there are others with no verbal communication whatsoever, as well as many in between.

There are over half a million people in the UK who have autism and many of these are children. Developing communication methods with children with autism is key to ensuring they enter adulthood with the tools required to head towards independence. Below are some key communication aids you can use with children with autism, but first this video gives some tips and ideas with regard to choosing communication devices:

Low-Tech Communication Devices

Some Children with Autism can communicate using Makaton

Makaton is a simple form of sign language which combines signs, images and speech. My First Makaton Symbols and Signs Book is the ideal place to start when introducing Makaton to your child. It includes all essential symbols and helps with the initial process of expressing basic needs, wants and feelings, as well as encouraging interaction.

We’ve looked at these before on this blog but Picture Exchange Communication Keyrings are a great portable method of communication for children with autism who can become non-verbal in situations where they become anxious and find verbalising their feelings difficult. They’re also useful for those who are permanently non-verbal. They come in a wide range covering food and drink, instructions and behaviour and much more, allowing for all needs to be quickly put across and met, as with standard speech.

High-Tech Communication Devices

Communciation Devices for Children with Autism, cover a wide range of technologies, from specifically designed devices to apps for tablets and ipads

Tobii produce a range of high-tech communication devices which are tailored to support the needs of children with autism and also adults who have the condition. The Tobii S32 for example plays back pre-recorded messages or sounds which can be activated by simply touching a printed sheet including symbols relating to the devices’ sounds. It’s a technological step up from picture cards and signs and gives users a voice when they are unable to find their own.

The Toby Lightwriter Range

Lightwriter Communication Aid atop a Trabasack Mini Lap Tray & Bag

Similarly, the Lightwriter range of products is a great option for those with high-functioning Autism who sometimes require assistance with their speech. Lightwriters allows for keyboard based text-to-speech ideal for when an older child with autism loses their ability to communicate verbally but wants to put across their needs through text.

Accessories for Communication

All of these communication devices require a flat surface to be used, to ensure they are easy to access and communication doesn’t get confused. A Trabasack lap tray is ideal for providing a sturdy and secure surface for all communication devices in use by children with autism. Keyrings can be clipped to the side of the Trabasack when it’s used as a bag and other devices can be safely stored in the bag compartment when not in use on the tray surface.

The tray is lightweight and can be rested upon any lap without causing any discomfort and the communication device, whether it’s a simple book being read with a parent or a high-tech Tobii AAC device, can be put on top of the tray and easily accessed.

For more information about using trabasack for communication please click here

American Advertising Group Produces New Infographic

The popularity of the iPad is nothing new, we all know it’s a huge hit but did we know how much kids loved it? New statistics have been  put together by Florida agency MDG Advertising in this new infographic. It shows exactly how into tablet technology our children are. More than just fun and games, there is evidence of more kids using tablets for educational purposes rather than anything else.

infographic about tablets being used for educational purposes

What does it all mean?

SEN kids Using Tablets for Education

We’ve talked before about how positive iPads can be for children’s education. The modern world is digital. Children born today are already prepped for using new technologies just by seeing their parents doing so. What’s more, Apple haven’t missed a trick. They target every market group, even those under one, with apps and products to suit their ‘needs’. The pre-teen market is completely packed out with kids wanting to use tablets and kids using tablets for education is becoming the norm.

We were particularly interested in the section of the infographic which deals with special educational needs technology. The section is entitled Making Special Education Needs Easier and looks at the statistics relating to autism and AAC technology in particular. It highlights there are currently 900 autism-specific apps available for the iPad. It also points out the shocking fact that specific devices for communication, before the iPad, could cost as much as $15,000. Another great figure from the graphic is that 90% of AAC users have turned to using iPads for communication. This shows how beneficial these products are for education and communication more clearly than anything else.

The final statement “Although iPads aren’t the most integral tool for a child’s education quite yet, Americans can expect that to change in the next decade’ is extremely exciting and we can believe it. The iPad has revolutionised education for many and kids using tablets for education report better results than those without access and there is hope in the future, as prices decrease that even more pupils may have access to these devices.

Living with a hearing impairment can make communication difficult. In most instances those living with a severe degree of deafness learn some form of sign language which makes communicating with their family, friends and other deaf people much easier. Unfortunately the rest of the population are less likely to use any form of signing. However, there are a range of devices developed for deaf people, allowing them to communicate more easily when signing isn’t possible.

Below are some communication devices which could be useful to those living with hearing impairment or even profound deafness. Please note, the development of modern technologies, especially in telecommunication means many of these devices may seem defunct but this isn’t necessarily so as every individual is different.

VV-Talker.

The VV-Talker is a wonderful gadget that could enhance the interaction abilities of deaf children as they learn to talk. Deaf youngsters hold the device against their throats and it provides feedback vibrations, helping them to ‘hear’ their attempts at speech. It also has a visual display so they can see the sounds they are making as a sound graph on a screen. This helps them to improve their speech by producing vocal vibrations that are comparable to those shown on the display.

More infomation about the VV talker can be found by clicking the image. Photo credit: Yanko Design

Induction loop systems

Hearing loops are now common in public buildings. They produce amplified sound using an electric field, that can then be picked up by a device used by a deaf person. Often it is by changing a setting on a hearing aid to ‘T’.

Hearing Loop Systems in the Home

In the, you might install a loop system so that the sound from your tv, hi-fi or radio could be amplified. A loop could also be used with a microphone so that you could be able to pick up a conversation with someone close by in an otherwise noisy place. Induction Loop Systems can now be bought online for the home and need no specialist knowledge to set up or install.

Amplified Phones

An Amplified Telephone is a fantastic option for those living with a degree of hearing impairment. They’re designed to ensure that you can hear more clearly as the volume can be increased much higher than that on a regular telephone. What’s more, many also feature additional features including one-touch dialling and spaces for photographs of individuals so numbers don’t need to be remembered and you can simply press the corresponding button.

ClearText Textphone

Textphones are available to those who are unable to used amplified telephones and the Cleartext model featured in the video below is one of the simplest on the market, making communication simple and fast. Featuring a large screen and buttons, communication via text can be quick and efficient. It also automatically inserts the prefix number for TypeTalk which allows for text communication with many companies making it easy to use for professional purposes as well as personal.

The below video explains more about this item:

Communication Uses for Mainstream Technologies

Skype Compatible WebCam

Of course plenty of technologies developed for regular usage can be adapted and used easily for communication for deaf people.

You may not need a textphone if you have a mobile phone for example, as you can send messages without difficulty. Similarly, the Skype free internet calls service is ideal if used in conjunction with  Skype compatible webcams. This video capacity removes the need for text as deaf people can communicate as if face to face using their sign language although there is still the option to include text messages.

These types of communication are best accessed using a laptop or tablet, allowing for easy communication wherever you may be. Additionally, to provide a sturdy surface so the user doesn’t need to keep hold of their laptop or feel it wobble on their laps, we’d suggest using a Trabasack lap tray. The Trabasack provides the sturdy, level surface you need, allowing conversation to flow via your computer screen and cam without fail. What’s more if you opt to use a Trabasack Media Mount you can also position your devices exactly where you need them. As Mark Mayer who describes himself as  ”Hard of Hearing with cerebral palsy” and who is chairman of a children’s charity, Worster-Drought Syndrome Support Group,  http://www.wdssg.org.uk/ says

@trabasack never leave home without my Trabasack

— Mark Mayer(@Markinsutton) October 30, 2011

Single Earphones

For people who have deafness in that is worse on one side, there a also a range of Stereo to Mono earphones that can help amplify sound to one ear or convert talking books or podcasts so that they can be heard in one ear only. As this person on Amazon
says:

This product is primarily designed for runners and cyclists to let them listen to music while having an ear on traffic and surrounding noise, but it’s also brilliant for people with hearing loss – I’m deaf in one ear and can finally listen to “stereo” music through a mono earphone after years of only hearing half the track I’m listening to. The quality of the sound is great – I must be honest and say that my hearing means that I didn’t use earphones a lot, so I don’t really have much else to compare it to, but it sounds fab to me – and the noise isolation means that I can listen to loud music at work without anybody hearing a single annoying tinny beat of what I’m listening to. Overall a really great product.

Communication aids and gadgets for Deafness

So there are a range of useful communication aids for helping deaf people, some very specialist but many being widely available and needing no technical knowledge to buy or install. To browse a wide range of products click here

Apps to support discipline and behaviour management in the home and classroom

Some apps can be used to help monitor and manage behaviour at home and in the classroom for children with autism. The role of the iPad in the special educational needs classroom cannot be underestimated. As we have previously discussed research has shown exactly how effective these devices can be in an educational setting as well as when used for play and this also applies when considering students and pupils who have an autistic spectrum disorder. This post is part of a larger collection bringing together some of the fantastic apps available to people living with autism.

There are many challenges and difficulties that come with caring for and educating a child with an autistic spectrum disorder and finding an appropriate and workable behaviour management strategy is amongst these. However, there are apps on the market which are designed to support your behaviour management strategies and aid your understanding of the behavioural issues that you may be facing.

Behavior Assessment Pro is an App that is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod devices and identifies factors which relate to challenging or problem behaviours. Designed by a certified behaviour analyst in the USA, this app is valuable for use by a number of professionals as well as parents and carers. The app allows for a quick assessment of the behaviours of your child, or class from a teacher’s perspective and allows you to recognise particular triggers, problem areas and produces a range of useful graphs and charts to help map behaviour changes. Extremely advanced and supportive of your behaviour management techniques, BAP can be of extreme help in producing end of year reports, support plans and related documents.

Behavior Tracker Pro is another well regarded and recommended app which allows anybody to track specific behaviours and graph them immediately. Can be synched with Excel for easier management and can make teaching and working with children with autism much more straightforward. Designed by a certified behaviour analyst who also has a child with autism, parents and educators using this app have faith in its abilities and data can be shared between all those involved with the child, making all round behaviour management easier as everyone can sing from the same hymn sheet.

Chore Pad HD is an affordable and popular app which takes the form of a virtual reward chart. Although originally designed to get kids to do their chores, the app has many more uses and can be used to encourage daily and life skills. Very basic but also very affordable, a great option for connecting the idea of good behaviour with positive reinforcement.

First Then Visual Schedule is a simple and manageable way of introducing your child or class to a virtual visual schedule, much like those they may use in paper form. You can split the day into sections such as ‘morning routine’ and ‘lunchtime’ so an understanding of the order of things can be instilled, hopefully avoiding the anxiety that triggers some challenging behaviour as control is maintained. Fantastic for use with a single child or can be utilised in the class environment with different schedules stored for different pupils.

The benefits of iPad apps and technology for those living with disabilities proven again

Hunter in a speech therapy session

Despite the iPad being popular with absolutely everybody, we are convinced they help and support learning and communication for people with disabilities. Hunter Harrison is a five year old boy uses his iPad to communicate. Hunter lives with a neuromuscular disability which effects his motor abilities including those needed for verbal communication. Despite this, Hunter is learning to read, knows his numbers, letters, colours and shapes and will be attending mainstream school in September.

Hunter needs a communication system that works. It’s clear he has the facilities to flourish in a mainstream classroom environment. This view is shared by Jane Kleinert from the University of Kentucky who has been working with Hunter. She highlights how popular the iPad has been for use in classrooms, particularly with pupils with autism. The adaptability of the device is one of its most popular features.

Access to AAC Devices Limited, despite iPad affordability

iPad featuring Proloquo2go AAC app

Research in the US has shown that less than 50% of children who require AAC support have access to it. We don’t have statistics for the UK but we’re sure they won’t be significantly different. Access to AAC devices is essential for supporting communication development in children with disabilities. Professor Kleinert and a UK colleague are working together to develop an initiative to build communication systems for children with disabilities. The scheme has allowed Hunter his own iPad loaded up with the popular Proloquo2Go App. The app allowed Hunter to find ways to communicate  but over time it has also led to improvement in his oral speech.

Unfortunately in America, the leading funding options won’t supply iPads as they restrict their funds to dedicated instruments designed for communication. The iPad doesn’t fit this category. However, dedicated AAC devices are often heavy and extremely expensive. The iPad of course has many portability and cost advantages and the success Hunter has achieved is something that every child should have access to. This video shows Hunter in action:

Trabasack can be used successfully as a low cost iPad or communication aid mount for more info click here

How QR Codes can be used for communication

Try this QR Code

Quick Response (QR) Codes appear everywhere. You’ll see them in magazines, on bus stop advertisements and pretty much anywhere you can reach with a smart phone. They have become an integral part of modern mobile society but what exactly do they do and how can they be used to aid communication? We look at QR Voice and Symbol Boards.

What are QR Codes?

QR Codes are simply a particular type of small barcode which is extremely quick to read via the right device and can load up large volumes information in comparison to traditional bar codes. You can scan a QR Code with most smartphones, tablets and also specifically built QR reading devices. After scanning they connect to a webpage, sound bite, video or other digital information source.

How can QR Codes be used for speech and communication?

This is where QR Voice comes in. As mentioned any digital information source can be encoded simply into a QR barcode and this includes verbal responses, statements and more. QR Voice encodes text messages into a QR code and then this message can be stored in a smartphone or tablet and used multiple times. Once created and scanned the QR Voice clip can be used regularly to aid communication for those who have non-verbal issues or may just have specific times where verbal speech becomes difficult.

The QR Voice site was developed for regular use but it can be easily adapted as an extremely simple AAC device that’s completely free for anybody to access. You could programme in some specific phrases such as ‘I’m thirsty’, ‘I’m hungry’ and simple ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ utterances and support the user to select specific codes when trying to communicate verbally through their smartphone or tablet.

QR codes on a Symbol Board

You could create a symbol board using these QR codes. Usually Symbol Boards have letters or pictures but using QR codes and a smart phone takes the board to another level of sophistication. The QR symbol could be used with QR Voice to create small sentences that are spoken when the code is read, or the Symbol could lead to a website or image online.

A Trabasack Mini Connect could be used to hold a QR code symbol board

With a little practice, it should be quite simple to get used to and for more advanced users of technology messages of up to 100 characters can be crafted, allowing for a short conversation where possible. Another use could be a series of instructions or a set of sentences, weblinks or images for a talk or presentation.

This short video shows QR Voice in action:

We think trabasack would make an idea bag for QR codes on symbol boards and a smart phone for communication. Please send us your pictures or videos if you have used a  trabasack in this way. We will send you a free T-shirt!

]]> http://communicationaids.info/qr-codes-communication/feed/ 0 assistive technology,examples qr codes education,qr codes,qr codes education ideas,qr codes educational use,Qr codes speech therapy ideas,Speech therapy,symbol board,qr codes QR Codes Communication ideas | QR Voice - Communication Aids QR Voice uses QR codes as a new communication tool that could be used with symbol boards to aid speech and communication. assistive technology,examples qr codes education,qr codes,qr codes education ideas,qr codes educational use,Qr codes speech therapy ideas,Speech therapy,symbol board,qr codes Commaids Try this QR Code trabasack-mini-connect-lap-tray-bag-33.95-vat–[2]-975-p A Trabasack Mini Connect could be used to hold a QR Symbol board http://communicationaids.info/using-switches-communication/ http://communicationaids.info/using-switches-communication/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2012 20:37:35 +0000 Beth http://communicationaids.info/?p=429 Using Switches for Communication

Access our new Guide to Switch Technology

Our new Guide to Assistive Switch Technology for communication, gaming and play

We have published a new guide on using switches for communication and a range of other purposes, with the aim to introduce assistive switch technology to those who know very little about it. Our guide is an introduction to a world of knowledge regarding switches and their uses and we believe readers of this blog could really enjoy and benefit from the information we’ve put together. The guide is available via PDF and is split into several categories:

Introduction – What is Switch Technology

Advantages of Switch Technology

Types of Switches

Determining Correct Switch Positioning

Simple Switch Activities

Switch Mounting

More Useful Information and Links

Each category takes a quick, introductory look at its topic and allows the reader to begin to understand the basics of switch technology and how it can be used by a range of individuals with different needs. The guide focuses on providing information for parents, carers and perhaps educators who want to understand more about switches and how they can be used positively for users with a range of disabilities.

Switches for Communication

A Communication Switch

There are a number of switches on the market that are specifically designed to aid communication and even the development of speech. Switches can be preprogrammed with specific phrases and answers that are commonly used by the individual in question or they can be more free reign like many AAC devices, requiring the touch of a button or the blink of an eye to cause the correct utterance to be heard.

Switches can be programmed with a single response or a range of message choices to suit the user and the extent to which you can customise a switch to the individual should not be underestimated. Another important factor to consider in the use of switches for communication is the positioning of the switch and our guide covers positioning and mounting in depth to ensure all readers are aware of the necessary questions to ask themselves before positioning their chosen switch.

To get your own copy of the guide, click here.