powerpoint presentationlow+tech...at 24 months, child has 150-300 words and nouns no longer dominate
TRANSCRIPT
4/6/2015
1
From PECS to Pixons:
Core Vocabulary in Low
Tech Communication
Systems
Megan Brazas, M.A. CCC-SLP
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Introduction
Speech-language pathologist in Wheeling
District 21
Educational Life Skills Program
Private Practice
Speech and Language Pathways, LLC.
Getting to Know My Audience…
Poll
4/6/2015
2
Learning Objectives
1. Identify at least three benefits of using low-tech
communication systems as a transition to high-tech
communication devices.
2. Understand at least two ways to integrate core
vocabulary into low-tech communication systems to
facilitate typical language development.
3. Recognize two ways to transition between a noun-based
picture exchange communication system (i.e. PECS) to a
core vocabulary based language system.
4
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Today’s Agenda
1. Introduce Core Vocabulary Exchange System (CVES)
2. What is Core Vocabulary?
3. Review Typical Language Development
4. Discuss evidence-based practices
5. Current problems with low-tech systems
6. Determine the appropriate low-tech communication system
7. Benefits of Low-Tech Communication Systems
8. Implementation of Core Vocabulary and the Core Vocabulary
Exchange System (CVES)
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Core Vocabulary Exchange System
(CVES)
Components:
Physical components:
3-ring binder
Carrying strap
Fold-out core vocabulary folder with velcro icons which attaches to the
3-ring binder*
Communication Strip
Velcro Strip closure
Language Components:
77 Core vocabulary icons with consistent locations
Personal Core color coded pages
Fringe Vocabulary incorporated as appropriate
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Patent Pending
4/6/2015
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Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Patent Pending
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Patent Pending
Purple People PageRed Food and Drink Page
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Patent Pending
4/6/2015
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Yellow Play/Reinforcers Orange Color/Craft
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Patent Pending
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Patent Pending
Green Feelings – Example
Icons from Google Images
Note: There are
core icons for happy, silly, sad,
sick, but some students may do better with real
photos. Customize icons according to
the child’s ability level and needs.
Core Icons in CVES The core icons have selected from Gail VanTatenhove’s Pixon
Project
4/6/2015
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Core Icons in CVES
These icons give you most bang for your buck!
Small amount of space available in low tech systems so
need to use the most powerful and frequently used
words
Words are representing by Pixon icons
Correspond to PRC systems using Unity and Words
for Life (i.e. Vantage Lite, Accent, NovaChat with
Words for Life).
“What about Boardmaker?!”
“Could these icons be made using boardmaker or symbolstix?”
Yes, but the benefits of using pixons is
that the icons transfer to many high-tech communication
devices and teach navigation on a device
These Pixon icons can be imported into Boardmaker library
(Use Core to adapt the environment!)
Be mindful of how you use boardmaker: there is no
evidence that supports use of boardmaker over other
programs.
Import icons into boardmaker
Apple
CVES Icon List
Pronouns/People
I_____
it
Me-myself
My-mine
You-your
Action
Words/Verbs
Am-is-are-be help stop
come Like take
Do-does-did Look-see turn
Drink Make wait
Eat Open-close want
Feel put watch
Get read work
Give Say-tell
Go sit
Hear-listen stand
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Prepositions/Places
Away
Here
There
In
Out
Up
Down
On
off
Adjectives
how much-
much
good
All done-
finished
happy
All gone-
gone
hot
Bad Little
Big more
Clean sad
Cold same
Different sick
Dirty silly
fast slow
Question Words
who
what
when
where
how
Nouns/Determiners
all
Some
That
This
Trouble
Time/Adverbs
Again
Now
Late-later
Ready
Interrogatives
Be careful
Target Population
Reminder of our target population with CVES:
Students with complex communication needs
Students who are primarily non-verbal or have little functional
communication skills
Students who need to learn initiation and how to communicate
This may include:
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Down syndrome
Development Disability
Cognitive Impairment
Today we are not focusing on children with complex motoric
difficulties.
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
4/6/2015
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What is Core Vocabulary?
Generative Language is based on Core Words
80% of what we say comes from a small set of CORE 400-500 words
Used in most messages across all environments and situations
Applies to children and adults
20% of what we say comes from a bank of thousands of FRINGE words
Huge number of words, mostly nouns, infrequently used, activity specific
Prentrom.com (Prentke Romich Company)
Core Vocabulary Resource:
http://www.vantatenhove.com/papers.shtml
This is how we need to think about our everyday language…
Copyright Megan Brazas 2015
4/6/2015
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What is Personal Core?
Personal Core includes words that a
person uses all the time which aren’t in
the Core Word list, but are personal to
YOU. These are words in YOUR life that
you are using all the time.
Think: foods, activities, places, favorite
things, people
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
My Personal Core:
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Sujey’s Personal Core:
Age: 9
Background:• Primarily non-verbal
• Severe apraxia• Autism• Prompt Dependent
• Bilingual-Spanish and English
• Working on increasing functional communication and
decreasing negative behaviors
• Needs access to personal core words in order to communicate
4/6/2015
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Sujey’s Personal Core:
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
TAKEAWAY POINTS: We need to teach core
Knowing that 80% of what children and
adults say come from a relatively small set
of core words, we need to move our
practice towards teaching core to our
students with complex communication
needs
Personalize communication systems with
Personal Core
***The Core Vocabulary Exchange System contains 77
core vocabulary icons and includes individualized
personal core icons – Color CodedCopyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Personal Core:
Food/Drink
People
Feelings
Toys/Reinforcers
Crafts/Colors
Bathroom, Break,
etc.
Incorporate
personal core as
appropriate.
Copyright 2015 Megan BrazasYellow Play/Reinforcers Page
Purple People Page
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“What about vocabulary development?!”
Disclaimer: We need to be teaching core
vocabulary, but this does NOT mean we are to
stop focusing on literacy and a vocabulary rich
environment.
Children need literacy and exposure to a language rich
environment
Children need exposure to print
Typical Language Development
First 20 words that a child says are primarily nouns
Nouns are used between 15-18 months of age
At 24 months, child has 150-300 words and nouns no longer
dominate.
At 2 years should have 2-word combinations, this includes
core words!
By 26 months, child uses 80% core
This is consistent across age, race, socioeconomic status
Gail Van Tatenhove, www.vantatenhove.com
Typical Two Word Combinations
2-Word Language Combinations Example
Noun + verb Daddy go
Verb + noun Want that
Noun + noun Mommy car
Pronoun + noun My car
Pronoun + verb Me go
Verb + preposition Get up
Pronoun + preposition Me up
***Core Words: Go, want,
that, my, me, go, get, up, Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Personal
core:
mommy,
daddy, car
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TAKEAWAY POINTS
Let’s think about typical language
development and how it relates to our
children with complex communication needs.
How can we expect a child to begin talking in
phrases or sentences if they have not first learned
the meanings of words?
We need to be cognizant of the communication
system we are providing for our students—it
should align with typical language development
***The Core Vocabulary Exchange System aligns with
teaching of language with single words, two-word
phrases, and sentence development Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Communicative Functions
What is “Functional Communication?”
“Functional communication skills are forms of
behavior that express needs, wants, feelings and
preferences that others can understand.”
American Speech Language Hearing Association
(ASHA)
Core Vocabulary is an important aspect of
functional communication, as it includes the
language necessary to communicate.
Communicative Functions
We use language for a variety of purposes:
Protest (“stop” “don’t want”)
Indicate cessation (‘’all done” “finished”)
Request preferred object/activity/person
Ask for help
*Behavior is also a function of communication
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
4/6/2015
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Additional Communicative Functions
We use language for a variety of purposes:
Greet (how are you, hi, hello)
Part (say goodbye)
Request information (tell me, want)
Existence (used to gain attention-look, uh oh, see, that, there)
Recurrence (more, again)
Nonexistence (all gone, away)
Rejection (don’t want)
Comment (like, don’t like, good, bad, okay)
Express emotion or state of being (happy, mad, sad, silly)
Directive-direct someone to do an action (sit down, come here)
Naming/labeling
Gail Van Tatenhove vantatenhove.com
Typical Language Development:
What is SNUG?
Spontaneous Novel Utterance Generation
“Snug is based on access to the individual
words, collocations, and commonly used
phrases of our language. SNUG allows a person
to say anything anytime.” (Katia Hill)
Katia Hill, Achieving Success in AAC: Assessment and Intervention.
AACinstitute.org
Typical Language Development:
What is SNUG?
Statements by people who rely on AAC clearly
indicate that they do not find pre-stored sentences
useful for most of what they want to say. Logged
language samples of people who rely on AAC provide
the strongest evidence on this point. In various
contexts, including clinical settings as well as the
natural environment, logged data suggest that
individuals communicating at the highest levels use
pre-stored utterances for less than 2% of
communication. (Katia Hill)
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SNUG and Pre-stored Phrases
When are pre-stored phrases and sentences
appropriate?
During crisis or duress
i.e. Zones of Regulation
For presentations, school plays
When the phrase or sentence is used with same
frequency as other core words
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Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
TAKEAWAY POINTS
1. We need to ensure that a communication system contains words which allow for a child to expressive a variety of communicative functions
2. We need to ensure that a communication system allows for a child to say whatever they want to say whenever they want to say it (SNUG)
***The Core Vocabulary Exchange System allows for
both functional communication as well as SNUGCopyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Examples of Functional Communication and
SNUG Using CVES
Function 1 word 2 word 3 word
Rejection Don’t Don’t want
Don’t doDon’t
I don’t want
Don’t want thatDon’t want it
Protest Stop You stop
Want stopStop it
Stop thatStop now
You stop it
Stop it nowI want stop
I want you stop
Cessation All done
Finished
I all done
Me all doneMe finished
I want all done
I am all doneI am finished
Help Help Help me
Want helpI help
I want help
You help me
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Rejection Using CVES Based Upon
Language Level: Single Word
Rejection: Two Word Phrase
Rejection: Three Words
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Rejection: Four Words
As a child’s language
develops, can target a variety of
communicative functions using the CVES.
Move from single words,
to two word phrases, to
three words, etc.
Evidence-Based Practices
A. ABA and Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
B. PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)
C. Language Acquisition Through Motor Planning (LAMP)
D. Aided Language Stimulation
**We should use the technique that best meets the need of the child. This may be a combination of approaches**
ABA and Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
Applied Behavior Analysis
Systematic process of observing and recording an
individual’s behavior, and using the information
collected to shape instruction
Student will increasingly engage in behavior that is
rewarded (reinforced) and behavior not reinforced will
occur less and less frequently.
Behavioral based approach
Shirley Cohen, Targeting Autism: What We Know, Don’t Know, and Can Do to Help Young
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
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ABA and Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
Applied Behavior Analysis
Discrete Trial Teaching
Direct instruction that focuses on a specific skill at a time, with repeated practice on this skill
One-to-one teaching format
Examples of Skills Taught: Imitation, following simple directions, communication, interactive play, socialization
Adult selected*
ABA and Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
Applied Behavior Analysis
Verbal Behavior Mapping (VB-MAPP)
Provides behavioral classification of Language
5 components of the VBMAPP
Milestones Assessment
Barriers Assessment
Skills Task Analysis and Tracking
Placement and IEP Goals
Skills leveled from 0 months of age to 48 months
Naturalistic behavior approach that focuses on establishing communication
Mark L. Sundberg www.marksundber.com
ABA and Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
Pivotal Response Training
Pivotal behaviors = behaviors that are likely to affect many areas
of functioning
In the newer model, there is a focus on motivation as a pivotal behavior
Child’s preference or choice of instructional materials (stimulus
materials)
Teaching in the context of play and functional activities
Use of natural reinforcers
Child has more choice and more control
Shirley Cohen, Targeting Autism: What We Know, Don’t Know, and Can Do to Help Young Children with Autism
Spectrum Disorders
4/6/2015
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“What about the VB Mapp?”
“My team uses Verbal Behavior Mapping and it says to
start with concrete words and not to use words like more
or go.”
Verbal Behavior Mapping is a great tool to determine areas of
deficits. Discrete trial training is one part of a child’s
programming but cannot be the only therapeutic tool.
We do not label as our primary mode of communication in our
environment in single nouns past 18 months of age
Can use PECS and nouns until achieving skills in the 18 month age
range, but then move towards core vocabulary and typical
language development.
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Language Acquisition Through Motor Planning
(LAMP)
A neurological treatment approach that uses multi-sensory
convergence (motor, auditory, visual) to promote the
development of language
Used with UNITY language software
Each word has its own motor pattern due to consistent
icon locations
Language Acquisition Through Motor
Planning (LAMP)
High prevalence of motor planning difficulties in autism*
Speech production requires proficient motor planning
Automaticity facilitates motor planning
LAMP approach stresses motor planning and
automaticity*
Hand becomes the articulator
John Halloran, www.aacandautism.com
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Motor Planning
Motor learning is an important key in the
learning and use of an AAC system. The more
cognitively impaired the person, the more
he/she depends on motor planning to learn
and use AAC.
Motor planning comes with consistency and
relative “permanence” where you get the
same thing with the same movement plan.
Gail Van Tatenhove vantatenhove.com
Motor Planning
The simplest to the most complex neuro-motor
activities of daily life are made possible by motor plans
Motor plans and sensory feedback are linked to
language learning
Motor plans form through repetition that is meaningful,
frequent, and intense.
Gail Van Tatenhove vantatenhove.com
TAKE AWAY POINT
We need to be mindful of motor
planning when we design low-tech
communication systems
***77 Core vocabulary icons in the Core
Vocabulary Exchange System are located in the
same location, allowing for consistent motor
planning of core vocabulary words
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
4/6/2015
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Aided Language Stimulation
Communication partner/facilitator points to or uses the icons on the student’s communication system.
Modeling language in natural contexts
Has been around for awhile and used by different names
Goossens’, Crain, & Elder (1992)
Romski & Sevcik (1996)
Cafiero (1998)
Linda Burkhart and Caroline Musselwhite (2010)
How do we model using aided language
stimulation?
We model the maximum language possible and
necessary without overwhelming the student
Think of this as modeling 1-2 words beyond the student’s
current language output level
If a child is speaking in 1 word utterances, we model
verbally and on their system using 2-3 word phrases.
Child says “help” you could model “help me”
Child says “on” you could model “turn on” or “turn it
on”
We are thoughtfully extending their language
On the CVES we
can use aided
language
stimulation to
model language
and to facilitate
language
development
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
PECS (Picture Exchange Communication
System)
PECS = Picture Exchange Communication System
There are 6 stages to PECS, all teaching different aspects of communication
Focuses on the initiation component of communication (how to initiate) and persistence
Can teach functional communication
Avoids prompt dependency using backward chaining (uses specific prompt
hierarchy)
Successful with all age levels and ability levels
Follows a very specific protocol (training is required)
Evidence-based
Pecs-usa.com
4/6/2015
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PECS (Picture Exchange Communication
System)
PECS is a great system aligning with language
development to about 18 months of age
Requesting
Commenting
When followed with
integrity and working through all
stages, it is very effective in teaching
initiation and persistence.
Pecs-usa.com
Current Problems with Low-Tech
Systems
Noun focus
Activity focus (i.e. by category: playtime, mealtime,
musical instruments, animals)—vocabulary does not transfer
across environments
Lack Core Words
Pre-stored phrases and sentences do not allow child to say
what they want to say
Do not align with typical language development
Have too many phrases and sentences which do not
teach meaning of individual words
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Current Problems with Low-Tech Systems
Do not have consistent motor plan access
Words and icons are repeated in different
locations on different pages
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
4/6/2015
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Example: PODD
Disclaimer: I am not saying that you should not use
PODD, but I am highlighting the lack of motor planning
for core words:
In these two pages, the
core words “turn” and
“not/don’t” are in different
locations.
• Increases motor
memory load
Current Problems with Low-Tech Systems
Do not allow for teaching of multiple meaning of
words:
“Stop” “Want”
I want to stop Want that
Stop it I want ________
Stop that You want it?
You stop Want mom
You can’t stop me I don’t want
Stop the music Don’t want that
She needs to stop want help
Stop it now! Want more
Stop him Want go
Want stop
Want eat
Want itCopyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Current Problems with Low-Tech Systems
Lack core vocabulary, which accounts for 80% of
what we say
Do not allow for SNUG
Do not allow for children to say what they want
to say whenever they want to say it
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
4/6/2015
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Determining the Appropriate Low-Tech
System and Integrating Core Vocabulary
Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal for any child would be
verbal speech or efficient communication using a low or
high tech system
Ask:
What can the child currently do?
What do we want them to do?
What tool do we use to get them there?
If I have used PECS, what do I do now??
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Low-Tech
Flow Chart
Megan Brazas
Copyright 2015
Core Vocabulary Implementation With PECS
Can begin introducing core vocabulary
when working on “I want”
Instead of “I want” as one phrase, may
choose to replace with “I” and “want”
icon
There may be an additional step in
the backward chain to learn the I
Want Sequence
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
4/6/2015
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Phase IV: I want
Follow the PECS hierarchy but can backward chain using
“I” and “want”
I want
Alex: I want music
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Incorporate core vocabulary words to target
communicative functions:
Help
Stop
All done
all done- finished
todo listohay terminado
help
ayudar ayuda
stop
parar
With PECS
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
With PECS: “All done”
all done- finished
todo listohay terminado
help
ayudar ayuda
stop
parar
Remember when targeting
communicative functions, that you
must honor the communication
function when it is mastered and
expressed by the child.
• Target indicating cessation
when determining a child is
frustrated and wants to be all
done or finished with an activity.
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Implementation Options
Depending upon the needs of the child, may choose to begin implementation on the binder itself or move to the fold-out on the Core Vocabulary Exchange System.
Tailor therapy to the child using most appropriate method (ABA, aided language stimulation, etc.)
If a child is in the beginning stages of picture exchange, may choose to teach “help” or “all done” on the front of the book.
If child has developed a request or comment, can move to a communication strip
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
4/6/2015
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Large icon “all done, finished”
*Can be used if child needs larger icon to physically grasp, to increase visual discrimination of icon
* May start with larger icon and then move to smaller size
Small icon “all done, finished”
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
“Help” and “I want help” on sentence
strip
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Whether on the communication book or in the
Core Vocabulary Exchange System, can use discrete trial training to teach the last step
first. If “I” and “want” are mastered then work on targeting “help”
Single Icon
“help”
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
4/6/2015
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Benefits of Low-Tech Communication
Systems
Portable and easily carried across environments
Durable
Cheap
Don’t need to be charged and don’t run out of battery
Serve as back-ups for communication devices
Waterproof and easily used during activities involving water and food (crafts, swimming, cooking, etc.)
Can be reproduced at minimal cost
Teach initiation and persistence skills
Teach functional communication skills until obtaining a high tech communication device
An alternative for students who engage in stimulatory behaviors with machines and devices
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Does every child need a low-tech
communication system?
Any child with a high tech communication device should
have a low-tech system as a back-up if/when the device
breaks or needs repairs
Any child who is non-verbal or has low functional
communication skills deserves access to a low-tech system
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Core Vocabulary Exchange System
(CVES)
Components:
Physical components:
3-ring binder
Carrying strap
Fold-out core vocabulary folder with velcro icons which
attaches to the 3-ring binder*
Communication Strip
Velcro Strip closure
Language Components:
77 Core vocabulary icons with consistent locations
Personal Core color coded pages
Fringe Vocabulary incorporated as appropriate
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
4/6/2015
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Benefits of a Core Vocabulary Exchange
System (CVES)
Aligns to evidenced-based practices
Can individualize the therapy to the child
Allows you to use the most appropriate therapy
approach for each child, or a combination of methods:
ABA
Pivotal Response Training
Aided Language Stimulation
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Benefits Continued
Portable
Consistent motor plan for core vocabulary words and masking*
Provides access to Personal Core
Personalized and color coded fringe vocabulary words
Works as a bridge between a low tech system and a high tech communication device
Continues to teach initiation and persistence
Multisensory approach
See it hear it say it do it
Children manipulate words and see them being exchanged as a message
Tactile feedback with physical exchange
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Benefits Continued
Aligns with Typical Language Development
Remember, children learn to use language 1 word at a time
Begin with teaching meanings of single words, then work
towards two-word combinations, three-words, etc.
Teaches functional communication skills
Teach a child to advocate for themselves
I.e. Child learns to ask for help or protest across
environments (access to communication system at all
times)
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
4/6/2015
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How can CVES be implemented?
1. ABA principles including Discrete Trial Training
Targeting 1 word at a time
i.e. Teach many meanings of the word “go”
2. Aided language stimulation
Use of the communication system across environments, activities, and communication partners
3. Use in conjunction with low-tech core vocabulary picture supports (i.e. Pixon Project) in a child’s environment
Our environment must receptively and expressively support a child’s language development
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
How can CVES be used? 3. Use in conjunction with low-tech core vocabulary picture
supports (i.e. Pixon Project) in a child’s environment
Using CVES
See it, hear it, say it, do it!
If we can provide a communication
system which is supported by an
environment where we speak to
children in a way they understand,
they will learn to communicate.
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
4/6/2015
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Option: MaskingSelect core vocabulary
starter set. Example:I this
It thatmy-mine all doneYou-your on
Not-don’t offStop more
Go all goneGiveHear-listen
ComeEat
DrinkHelpLook-see
StopTurn
Waitwant
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Why do masking?
If child has difficulty with all icons present on the page or is not using words functionally
Teach meanings of individual words across communication partners and activities (focus on new words and their meanings)
Note: Easier to keep the icon location consistent for core words and add words in slowly than to change later
Example Starter Set with Early Communicator:
I
Want
More
Stop
Help
All done-finished
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Can start with important communicative
functions of protesting, indicating cessation, making a request for a
preferred item/activity, and asking for help
Continue to add in
additional core words
as child masters use
of word across
communication
partners and
activities.
Here the following
words were added:
up, down, here,
away, in, out, again,
ready, open-close, sit
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
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Continue
to add
words as
child
builds
language
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
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Emmanuel
Age: 7
Grade: 2
Background:
Down syndrome
Apraxia
Bilingual- Spanish and English
PECS introduced 2013
Working on increasing initiation, persistence, functional communication
Both backward chaining and aided language stimulation has been used
Currently trialing high tech communication
Emmanuel: “Masking”Core Starter Set:
IMy-mine
ItAmdo
TurnWait
WantNot-don’tEat
DrinkFeel
HelpLikeReady
Now
All
Some
This
That
More
Different
cv
cv
cv
Emmanuel: “I want more drink”
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Emmanuel: “I
want more drink”
Chris Age: 6
Grade: Kindergarten
Background:
Autism
Bilingual-Spanish and English
Communication book introduced 2012-2013
PECS introduced 2014
IEP Goal of making a request for a preferred item
Core Vocabulary Exchange System introduced Fall 2014
Using CVES to learn functional communication skills and increase mean length of utterance
Is now generalizing words learned on CVES to his everyday speech
Chris requests “Ms. Megan I want straw”
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Chris’s Language Development
Chris has moved from basic requesting and commenting to
learning and using a variety of language.
Spontaneous Novel Language
Two-word phrases
Three-word phrases
Sentences
Questions
A variety of communicative functions
Use of CVES has generalized to his spontaneous speech
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Chris asks: “More fish?”
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“More fish?” Video
***Chris asks for
more fish with
rising
intonation. This
is completed
unprompted and
an example of
spontaneous
novel utterance
generation using
the CVES.
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Chris
requests
“Ms.
Megan I
want more
goldfish”
Chris “Ms.
Megan I
want 5
more
goldfish”
with
correction
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Chris Asks “What’s that?”
During a structured language activity, a game is being
introduced. Simple wh-questions are being modeling and
taught to Chris.
My language to the group includes introducing the activity:
It’s time to play a game.
I have a special activity here.
(Wait for response from Chris).
You could ask me “what’s that?” if you want to know what the
game is.
Copyright 2015 Megan Brazas
Chris says
“my turn.”
Note: There
are many
other ways
to model
turn taking
using the
CVES: “Me,”
“turn” “go”
“I go” etc.
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36
Chris says “your
turn” with point
prompt and verbal
feedback
Chris with Rejection:
“I don’t want that”
during cooking
Chris directing during cooking.
(Ms. Megan) don’t eat that
(butter)!
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37
Soledad
Age: 7
Grade: 1st
Background:
Down Syndrome
Decreased intelligibility
Bilingual- Spanish and English
PECS reportedly introduced 2013
Core Vocabulary Exchange System introduced Fall 2014
Working on functional communication skills and syntax
Aided language stimulation has been used
Soledad requests recurrence: “I want more”
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38
Soledad requests “I want this”
“I want this” with point prompt for
“this”
Modeling with
a point prompt
Point prompts have been effective,
so this is a tool we continue to use. May choose to use a different
prompt hierarchy depending upon the student:
Independent
Natural Cue
Gesture/Point Prompt
Partial Physical
Fully Physical
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39
Physical exchange of
communication strip. “want
see” during a cooking
activity.
Use aided language stimulation to
extend language to “I want see”
Soledad then points and
verbalizes “I want see”
“I want see-look” and then looks inside the bowl
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40
Nahum
Age: 8
Grade: 2
Background:
Verbal
Down syndrome
Phonologic Disorder and decreased functional communication skills
Negative behaviors impacting education*
Bilingual
PECS introduced 2013 and quickly moved to CVES
Worked on increasing initiation, persistence, functional communication, increasing mean length of utterance
Both backward chaining and aided language stimulation were used
No longer uses a CVES as a primary means to communicate. Has moved to a static system to augment his communication. (Language is modeled for him and it generalizes to spontaneous speech).
Nahum Video
Nahum
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41
“Mikey”
Age: 8
Grade: 3rd
Background:
Very social
Non-verbal
Severe apraxia
Autism
Behavior Plan
Prompt Dependent
Bilingual
PECS introduced 2012
Worked on increasing functional communication and decreasing negative behaviors
Context dependent-communication limited to talking about preferred objects, activities, and people
Backward chaining most effective
“I want little ball”
with modeling
I want little ball.
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42
Johnny
Age: 8
Grade: 2nd
Background:
Autism
Bilingual- Spanish and English
PECS 2011-2012, 2012-2013 school year
CVES introduced 2012-2013 followed by AAC trial for a high tech
device
Now uses the PRC Accent 1000
Johnny: “I
want cereal
Johnny: “Crazy”
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43
Questions?
Please feel free to email me at
References and Resources
Aided Language Stimulation:
http://www.lburkhart.com/ATIA_ALgS_handout_1_10.pdf
Gail VanTatenhove: vantatenhove.com
http://www.aaclanguagelab.com/other/core-vocabulary
Katia Hill and AAC Institute: http://www.aacinstitute.org/
Mark L. Sundberg, www.marksundberg.com
PECS: pecsusa.com
Pixon Project: https://store.prentrom.com/product_info.php/cPath/30/products_id/163
Prentrom.com
Shirley Cohen, Targeting Autism: What We Know, Don’t Know, and Can Do to Help Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Susan Stokes:
http://stokesisha2012.pbworks.com/w/page/50561366/FrontPage
The Center for AAC and Autism: aacandautism.com
www.asha.org