LINGUISTIC OPERATIONAL ♦ Identifies and establishes the first reliable signal for symbolic communication ♦Carries own device ♦Reliable “want” or “don’t want” given choices (*partner assisted scanning) ♦Puts device in position for communication ♦Matches personally meaningful visual scenes to context (photos or pictures) ♦Turns device on/off ♦Charges (in routine) ♦Understands basic vocabulary within familiar routines and themes (animals; ADLs; family/friends photos) within context of visual scenes ♦Simple errorless message selection via touch/step or automatic scanning ♦Partner assisted navigation to specific pages for activity ♦Single button messages ♦Reliable choice making ♦Partner assisted navigation to specific page appropriate to the communicative demand ♦Responds/requests with single word ♦Understands and uses simple/concrete symbols SOCIAL STRATEGIC ♦Demonstrates turn taking (object based) ♦Cause and effect ♦Responds to communication ♦Demonstrates ownership of device (“This is mine” or “I use this to talk”) ♦References communication partner ♦Selects single button message (or other communication mode) to signal a misunderstood message (e.g. “That’s not right” or repeat message) ♦Cause/effect with social consequences (come here; leave; break; finished) ♦Gains partner’s attention ♦Introduces self when appropriate ♦Requests motivating activities/objects ♦Uses different mode of communicating misunderstood message (e.g. gestures, pointing, vocalizing) ♦Greetings and farewells with partner assisted navigation ♦Uses humor with partner assisted navigation Emergent Communicator Emergent communicator characteristics: communicates basic needs and messages; requires assistance from communication partner; beginning to interact socially; communicates a limited number of messages in a small set of specific contexts or routines.
Context dependent communicator characteristics: limited literacy skills; overall ability to communicate dependent on environment, topic, or partner; understands most concrete symbols, some abstract; limited ability to combine symbols to create new messages. LINGUISTIC OPERATIONAL ♦Understands and uses morphological endings to denote time concepts (past “-d”, present “-ing”) ♦Page navigation ♦Takes care of AAC device and components ♦Uses plural “s” to denote “more than one” ♦Uses existing vocabulary to describe new word or concept not in device ♦Increased independence in programming (accesses programming menus) ♦Produces messages with increased length and/or complexity (e.g. different sentence forms, questions, flexibility in message choice) ♦Increased access to external devices (phone, printer, email, IR controls) ♦Stores files, customized messages, and sequences ♦Understands and uses morphological endings to qualify verbs (er /ly) ♦Row/Column/Group Scanning with purposeful selection of “correct” or “logical” choices ♦Demonstrates independent spelling skills at age level, with or without word prediction SOCIAL STRATEGIC ♦Demonstrates turn-taking ♦Requests clarification ♦Uses social language (verbal or non-verbal fillers) ♦Chooses appropriate message or strategy to prevent a communication breakdown ♦Uses gesture/message to indicate intent of using a “first letter” strategy, then provides first letter of word for listener to guess ♦Uses polite social forms ♦Chooses appropriate message / strategy to signal a communication breakdown ♦Changes message to ensure listener understands. ♦Signals a topic change with appropriate message ♦Initiates conversation using standard page sets and navigation ♦Uses appropriate rate enhancement strategy (e.g. telegraphic message; abbreviated/shortened words; uses number or single letter 4=“for”) ♦Terminates conversation using standard page sets and navigation ♦Uses appropriate “start over” strategy when message becomes lost through too many attempts to repair.