Communication Access to Conversational Narrative
By Waller, Annalu, PhD; Topics in Language Disorders, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 221-239Publication Date: July-September 2006
Article focuses on methods that have been developed to provide people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with improved access to narrative conversations. The results of research projects that have utilized technology to support interactions such as telling jokes, sharing experiences, and telling stories are presented as examples. For example, a study conducted to promote the acquisition of new vocabulary among preschool children found that storytelling enhanced children’s receptive and expressive vocabulary, though children with communication disabilities often have trouble acquiring new vocabulary. Some AAC devices such as Pathfinder and Vanguard from Prentke Romich, Incorporated allow new vocabulary to be periodically added, though, so children can incorporate new vocabulary into conversations. Different conversational components have also been made accessible via Talk:About from Don Johnston, Incorporated. Talk:About is a literacy-based software package that runs on the Macintosh platform, and allows users to edit previously-stored text during a conversation. The program is complemented by Co:Writer, which is a word prediction program also from Don Johnston.
Assistive Products Discussed: CO:WRITER 4000
VANGUARD
TALK:ABOUT
PATHFINDER PLUS
VANGUARD PLUS
Published by: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins (Website:http://www.lww.com)
Link to text: https://www.nursingcenter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=661385
