Excerpted from the Introduction to See What We Say: Situational Vocabulary for Adults Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication, by Barbara M. Collier, SLP

Copyright © 2000 by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Representing Your Vocabulary

There are three important steps to follow when determining how to represent your vocabulary. First, decide if an item you want should be represented by a word or a phrase. Second, make sure that the words you want are represented in a way you can recognize (e.g., print, photographs, symbols). Third, organize your vocabulary so you can easily find the words you want. These three steps are discussed in detail next.

Decide Whether You Need a Word or a Phrase

You need to decide whether you want a word to appear on its own or as part of a phrase or sentence. For instance, if your vocabulary only shows the word wheelchair as part of the sentence Please charge my wheelchair battery, you will not be able to use wheelchair in any other way. It will be stuck in that sentence. Nonetheless, you will want frequently used phrases incorporated in your vocabulary so you do not have to take the time to construct these sentences every time you want to communicate them. There are no rules for determining whether words appear individually or in phrases; you will have to use your own judgment. Some guidelines to assist you in this decision-making process follow.

Choose a single word if

• You need to use it in different sentences

Choose a phrase if

• You use that phrase regularlyIt is a frequent sentence starter (e.g., I want, I'd like to, I wonder if, Would you)
• You need to convey the information in a hurry (e.g., a request for help)
• The message is long and requires too much time and effort to construct word by word or letter by letter

Represent Your Vocabulary in a Way that Makes Sense to You

If you use printed words and phrases to communicate, your vocabulary should be printed in words and phrases. The words and phrases can be clearly handwritten or typed into and printed from a computer. Some AAC users like to have their words appear in either upper- or lowercase letters, and some find it difficult to read others' cursive handwriting. Have your assistant develop a few samples of different styles so you can choose the one that you prefer. If you have a computer, you can also experiment with different fonts and sizes. In addition, some AAC users find it easier to see the words and phrases if they appear in black print on colored backgrounds (e.g., yellow, light blue).

Some picture-based AAC devices are equipped with their own set of pictures; others allow you to pick the type of picture you want. If you use pictures to communicate and your system allows you to choose the pictures, your vocabulary should be represented using the type of pictures you prefer. There are many good resources for pictures. For example, there are stamp books and computer software programs that can be used to make displays and overlays. By utilizing these software programs, you or your assistant can easily change the content, size, color, and arrangement of your displays. (Contact your AAC clinician or speech-language pathologist for more information.) Remember that you can always mix and match different styles of pictures (e.g., photographs, line drawings, colored pictures). Just make sure that you choose the pictures (not someone else), that they make sense to you, and that you can remember the words or phrases they represent. In addition, always have the word or phrase typed or printed above, below, or beside the picture or symbol. That way your partner knows what you mean when you point to that particular picture on a display.

Blissymbols and other symbol-based systems can represent what you want to communicate on displays and many AAC devices. Thus, if you use this system to communicate, you may want your new vocabulary to be represented in Blissymbols. As with picture systems, software programs and stamp books are available to assist people in making Blissymbol displays. People who use Blissymbols learn the meaning of these symbols and the concepts they represent. It is important that Blissymbol users are supported in their learning of the system. AAC users and tutors can get more information on Blissymbols from their AAC service provider or speech-language pathologist or from Blissymbolics Communication International.

Organize Your Vocabulary

Organize your vocabulary so that you know where to find words and phrases. Most AAC users like to arrange their vocabulary in ways that make sense to them. For example, John has a page in his device with his transportation words, another for grocery shopping, and another for participating at his conferences. Susan keeps her routine service instructions on a corkboard beside her bed. Jean has her frequently used vocabulary on the tray of her wheelchair and additional vocabulary arranged in a binder. Each day she chooses the pages she needs, depending on what she has planned for the day.

If your system already has a specific organization (e.g., foods in one place, time words in another) — and if this arrangement suits your needs — you can continue to use it by adding new pages or overlays. It is a good idea to add tabs (available at most stationary stores) to the tops or sides of your pages. These are like bookmarks that stick out from the pages. Words or pictures can appear on the tabs. For example, a picture of a car or bus could mark your page of transportation words. Tabs also help some AAC users turn the pages. People who use their eyes to communicate can look at them to indicate the page to which they want their partners to turn.

AAC users whose devices involve codes or overlays to retrieve their programmed words should follow the organizational setup and rules that they already use. If you require aid in this matter, you should contact the clinician or vendor who assisted you in selecting your device and follow the instructions for programming your specific device.

Practicing Using Your New Vocabulary

Although having the words and phrases you need for a certain situation is essential, you also need to have the skills to communicate in that environment. This involves knowing how to operate your device or to find words on your display, how to communicate with different partners, which communication technique to use (e.g., your device, gestures), what vocabulary to use, and how to deal with misinterpretations or misunderstandings. Using AAC systems effectively entails much more than simply selecting words!

It is suggested that you practice communicating in specific situations with someone with whom you are comfortable. Your partner could act out the speaking person's part and you could be yourself. Or switch roles; have your partner use your AAC system to show you how he or she might communicate in that environment. Ask your partner to let you know how you are doing and then gradually try out your new skills and vocabulary in real-life situations.

Updating Your Vocabulary Regularly

The words you need to communicate must reflect the changes and new situations within your life. For this reason, AAC users find that their displays and devices must express what is happening in their lives. This means that you should make arrangements to update your vocabulary on a fairly regular basis. The time you need to devote to this is an individual decision; it depends on what you already have and how much more you need. These update sessions do not need to be done with an AAC specialist or clinician. The AAC clinician can provide guidelines or a layout for expanding your AAC system. The actual selection and development of your system can usually be done by you with a family member, friend, support service provider, or another person who knows you well.