Speech and language pathology graduate students in the Department of Communicative Disorders are pioneering new ways to support children with severe and complex communication needs.
The AAC Story Time Preschool at the University of Wisconsin Speech and Hearing Clinic is incorporating technology, such as iPads, to help facilitate speech and language development in children ages 2-4.
Children participating in the AAC Story Time Preschool Program exhibit severe and complex communication needs due to conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism and pervasive developmental delays.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an area of clinical practice and research that focuses on the use of communication aids such as low cost communication displays, dedicated speech generating devices (SGDs) and iPads with interactive communication apps to compensate and facilitate communication.
“Many of the augmentative and alternative communication methods we introduce to children capitalize on their strengths and attempt to shape new knowledge through guided learning experiences that facilitate participation and errorless learning," says Murray-Branch.
Through work in the AAC lab, the students design and incorporate communication adaptations to optimize each child’s learning.
New technologies including the Text-to-Pictures communication app developed in conjunction with the Department of Computer Sciences allows children to visualize language in real time through a graphical user interface. “Play” with words in pictorial form supports both language comprehension and production.
In keeping with the Wisconsin Idea, the AAC Story Time Preschool positively impacts on children with severe and complex communication impairments and their families.
The UW Speech and Hearing Clinic (UWSHC) offers evaluation, treatment, and consultation services for children and adults with speech, language, hearing, and related communication needs.
For more information including appointments and referrals: (608) 262-3951 (TDY/TDD accessible).