High Tech Low Tech Aac Devices

There are three types of assistive technology.

High tech low tech aac devices. High tech systems provide features that low tech systems cannot come close to matching and they are available to all individuals no matter their age perceived language stage or surmised intellectual level at the time of intervention. As i mentioned yesterday assistive technology is anything anyone that helps a student make progress. There are highly portable units that are suitable for some more mobile users and devices that are better suited for wheelchair or paralized users. High tech aac is excellent for this it has a large built in vocabulary and access to different voices.

These devices range from low tech to high tech and combinations of both. Most of these are present in most classrooms and we are unaware that we even provide these accommodations. An aac aid is any device either electronic or non electronic that is used to transmit or receive messages. High tech aac systems are essentially computers whether in the form of an app on a tablet or an eye gaze system running on a pc.

No tech low tech light tech yes no cards choice cards and boards communication boards books flipbooks alphabet boards rating scales basic devices with prerecorded voices etc yes no series 6 parts by kate ahern. Everyone has the right to access any language system that will meet their needs. These can also be called speech generating devices sgds or voice output communication aids vocas. High tech aac systems are electronic computer based voice output systems.

Low tech assistive technology is the most common form of assistive technology. The options range from low tech devices such as static communication boards to high tech systems such as dedicated devices or apps for tablets or smartphones. These devices are usually easy to program and cost less than 500. Some devices can be programmed to produce different spoken languages.

They are usually more sophisticated and more robust systems. Examples of no low tech communication strategies include pecs picture exchange communication. A high tech device is a complex electronic device that permits the storage and retrieval of messages many of which allow the use of speech output. Aac devices or systems range from low to high tech from items as rudimentary as picture cards to the more complex computer and alternative keyboard systems.

We know that there are some situations where it can be better to use light tech aac instead. However high tech aac can be costly and devices are fragile. Aac systems then in turn can be high tech mid tech or low tech. Perhaps surprisingly the low tech items often provide the most convenient forms of assistive technology since educators and students alike can easily interact with the least amount of.