Tel: +27 012 420-2001
Fax: +27 012 420-4389
E-mail: Prof. E Alant alant@libarts.up.ac.za
Postal Address
Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communitcation
University of Pretoria
Cnr of Lynwood and Roper Street
Pretoria 0002
Gauteng
South Africa
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What is AAcia Is there a need for Augmentative & Alternative
Communication Intervention in South Africa?Internationally it is estimated that 1,5-2% of the
general school population is in need of AAC services. In
addition, it is known that approximately 20% of all people
with little or no functional speech is cognitively within
normal limits. In South Africa the prevalence of little or no functional
speech (LNFS) seems much higher than in other Western
countries: A study within the greater Pretoria, for example,
showed that 39% of all children in schools for children with
severe disabilities could be regarded as having LNFS. What is it like to have a severe communication disorder?These quotes illustrate the drastic effects that the
inability to communicate can have on an individuals life.
"I know what it is like to be fed potatoes all my life.
After all, potatoes are such good basic food for
everyday, easy to fix in many different ways. I hate
potatoes! But then, who knew that but me? I know what it
is like to be dressed in reds and blues when my
favourite colours are mint greens, lemon yellows, and
pinks. I mean can you really imagine?"
Sara Brothers (1991, p.59)
"If you want to know what it is like to be unable to
speak, there is a way. Go to a party and don't talk.
Play mute. Use your hands if you wish but don't use
paper and pencil. Paper and pencil are not always handy
for a mute person. Here is what you will find: people
talking; talking behind, beside, around, over under and
through, and even for you. But never with you. You are
ignored until finally you feel like a piece of
furniture."
Rick Creech
(Musselwhite & St Louis, 1988, p104)
Who can benefit from Augmentative or Alternative
Communication?Those who would benefit from AAC include:
Why use Augmentative or Alternative forms of
Communication?To give every individual ways to express needs and wants,
to share their feelings, thoughts and ideas to those with
whom they interact. What are some of the facts about Augmentative &
Alternative Communication?AAC communication is a multi disciplinary field and
involves the user, parents as well professionals who they
are working with e.g. speech therapy, occupational therapy
or physiotherapy. Assessment should be ongoing to reevaluate and monitor
the specific needs of the individual client. The use of augmentative or alternative communication is
multimodal in that no one system will be adequate for all
communication needs in all settings/environments. In order for intervention to be effective it should be a collaborative effort with the client and all those with whom s/he interacts. About UsWhat do we do?Most of the CAAC main activities are in disadvantaged
areas where training is conducted at preschool, primary and
secondary levels as well as other institutions to support
inclusion of children with severe disabilities into the
educational and employment context. Activities focus on
training as well as material and technology development to
support inclusion of children and adults with severe
communication disabilities into communities TrainingIn the 15 years of the existence of the CAAC, staff has trained over 6 400 AAC users, parents, teachers and therapists in facilitating communication with severe disabilities. Follow-up visits to contexts confirmed that the CAAC has reached over 8000 children, youth and adults through training of families, community leaders and professionals. Activities include training in communities as well as five post-graduate programs in the fields of early childhood intervention, severe disabilities and AAC. Leadership and advocacyThe CAAC recently embarked on a national project to assist youth with severe disabilities in getting access to communication and information technology, called the Fofa Project. This project assists young people to "speak for themselves" and facilitate their access to employment. Team consultationsThe CAAC staff supports people with LNFS, their families and professional teams by conducting consultations where they collaboratively problem-solve issues related to communication and independent functioning within the communities. Open daysThe CAAC has open days once a month to provide people with severe communication problems, their families and professionals with the opportunity to be exposed to current high and low technology solutions for people with little or no functional speech. ResearchThe CAAC staff and students are engaged on an ongoing
basis in research in the fields of AAC, severe disabilities
and early childhood intervention Our missionWe impact the lives of individuals and families by
multi-professional training and research in:
Our Values
General ApproachThe Centre for AAC regards the following as major
priorities in terms of intervention and rehabilitation:
Centre for Augmentative and
Alternative Communitcation
Tel: +27 012 420-2001 Fax: +27 012 420-4389 E-mail: Prof. E Alant alant@libarts.up.ac.za Postal AddressCentre for Augmentative and Alternative Communitcation University of Pretoria Cnr of Lynwood and Roper Street Pretoria 0002 Gauteng South Africa
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Centre for Augmentative and
Alternative Communitcation
Tel: +27 012
420-2001
Centre for Augmentative and
Alternative Communitcation |