When Does an AAC Device Become So Much More? - My Thoughts on Augmentative Assistive Communication

Communication. This is an umbrella term used to describe a huge variety of ways we tell others things. The way each person communicates is so different, even down to facial expressions. There are many different ways to communicate: There's verbal communication, where you talk using your own voicebox, there's communicating using sign language, using symbols, or eye-pointing, and so much more. These are all different forms of communication.

I have used four methods of communication (excluding digital). Before I learned to talk, I used to eye-point. This is exactly what it says on the tin, looking at objects or words that you want. I had an A-4 book full of symbols that I used to communicate with people, I either pointed to a symbol with my hand or used my eyes to point.

At primary school, I had a basic AAC device called a Dynavox. I got this because my speech was nowhere near as clear as it is now, so the people who assessed me for my needs at school came up with this Dynavox thinking that it would help me communicate... I didn't like using the Dynavox because it was easier for me to communicate verbally, but people would make me use it. When I talked, I got told to use the Dynavox. In the end, my mum and dad took it away; I don't think I knew what happened to it at the time because I didn't question where it was, but it was the best thing at that time. Then my speech got better and better! - In this instance, AAC can be more of a hindrance than a help, as I've proved. However, it can also be a huge help...

From the year I started sixth-form college until the year I left, some people were trying to encourage me to use AAC, and I was constantly telling them that I didn't want to because using my own voice was easier for me and I didn't see the point in using it when I can make myself understood. I think my reluctance to use AAC stemmed from bad experiences at primary school. In my final year at college, I decided to accept their wish to make a referral to have an assessment to get an AAC device. At the time, I only went along with it to get them off my back, but looking at it now, I am so glad that I have my GridPad12 because it has opened up so many doors for me. It has given me so much more independence.

I mainly use it for environmental controls, like controlling the TV and my fan. I can control the TV and Alexa, and it can be programmed to control anything that has infra-red capability, like lights. I am also going to be able to open and shut windows in my flat with it too.

Now, I also use it to turn my main computer on, thanks to a brilliant American company! Ever since I got my tablet and its power remote control, I have wanted to have a similar system for my computer to make it easier for me to turn it on. Before, I would have to risk over-balancing when reaching up to the power button with my toe, spend two or three minutes trying to steady my arm to press the button, or ask someone else to do it for me. The company made a bespoke power switch for me, which is controlled through infra-red signals and I now have my GridPad programmed to turn my computer on, and it works really well! I can even turn it off if it freezes and won't do anything (this is not recommended in the world of computers and should only be done as a last resort). I'm so grateful for this, because turning my computer on was about the only thing that I couldn't do consistently with my computer on my own, and although this may not seem like a big deal to most people, it makes a huge difference to me!

There are many different access methods in Grid 3: pointer access (mouse or head pointer), touch, EyeGaze, voice activation and switch activation. I use a touchscreen and a mouse when I'm sitting on the floor, and pointer and switch activation when I'm in my electric wheelchair. On my electric wheelchair, I have a head switch, which brings up a menu on my chair, and from that menu, I can change from drive mode to tablet mode to use my foot control as a mouse and select cells by pressing a switch that's behind my foot. I can also use the whole device by using the Computer Control grid (pictured at the right) with my foot switch on my wheelchair... The Computer Control grid can be resized and moved to different areas of the screen, so you can access every part of your display. There is a limit to how small you can have this grid, and how big you can have it depends on the size of your screen, but there are ways you can get around that; for example, if you need bigger cells, you can have less on one grid, and have multiple grids with the rest of the buttons. This is the same for every grid within Grid 3. I have done this with some of my grids, like my fan grid. When I get hot, my involuntary movements worsen, so I have made the buttons on my fan grid larger. Luckily, I don't need many buttons on this grid, and that also helps.

Grid 3 is completely customisable, you can choose the fonts and font size, sizes of cells, colours, and pictures and you can even leave space in-between each cell if needed! You can also disable every button by using the "Rest" commands - The rest commands can disable every cell so that only the Rest cells can be activated. Rest commands are toggles (on/off). The only downfall to Grid 3 is that the user cannot switch between profiles unless they can use the touchscreen or a physical mouse, because Grid 3's menu can't be activated with anything other than touch or a physical mouse. I would like to see added to Grid 3 a “switch user” command to enable users to switch between profiles independently, no matter which access method they're using. The reason for this is that I use two different user profiles, one for switch and pointer access when I'm sitting in my wheelchair, and one for standard mouse touch access when I am sitting on the floor.

So, as you can see my AAC device is so much more than just AAC. Thanks to Smartbox, people can have as much independence as possible.

Smartbox have all copyright on the photos of Grid 3.