What is Assessment?
Assessment is a process of gathering and interpreting information about the AAC user. The assessment ALWAYS starts with the AAC user (not with the technology).
The GOAL of a low tech assessment is to match up the individual with the low tech system which best meets their:
- Physical Abilities
- Visual Abilities
- Day to Day Needs
- Language Needs
- Environment and Situational Needs
- Communication Partners
- Personal Preferences
- Rate of Progression (if they have a progressive disability)
Assessment is NOT a theoretical process. It is a hands-on, practical process. It is difficult to know if a communication board or system is right without actually trying it out.
For literate individuals with good hand function and vision, selecting a small communication board can be a fairly straightforward process . For people with physical and visual impairments, trying out the board is critical. We provide downloadable fragments of communication boards in order to assist with the physical access assessment.