Discuss About The Augmentative And Alternative Communication.
AACs are different types of communication techniques available to support a person with speech impairment in making speech. The term ‘Augment’ in the ACCs system denotes enhancements and the term ‘alternative’ suggest use of other communication systems to assist client in the generation of speech. The types of ACCs may differ based on the use of equipments to aid the communication.
To be able to AAC system, it is necessary for speech pathology staffs to be aware about communication needs of different client. The communication needs may differ based on congenital, developmental, acquired and progressive disabilities in a client. AAC assistance is needed for the following types of disabilities:
As the above mentioned disabilities may be progressive in nature or severity may decrease with time, the requirement for AAC system may change with time. Hence, same kind of AAC system cannot be given to all clients. It is up to the discretion of the speech pathologist to define whether high level or low level of assistance is required for particular client. Some clients may required assistance for long-term whereas others may require temporary assistance.
By the use of AAC system, diverse kind of communication needs of client can be fulfilled. The following type of communication assistance can be provided:
By the use of above mentioned devices, the following communication of needs of clients can be fulfilled:
Some examples of typical AAC systems that can be used with clients are as follows:
Criteria used by speech pathologist to choose appropriate device for clients:
Speech pathologist follows certain process to identify specific types of AAC system needed by different clients. The criteria followed to choose appropriate device are as follows:
Work Health and Safety (WHS) policies and procedures relating to the allied health assistant’s role are of prime importance when implementing speech programs. It is crucial to satisfy the WHS requirements pertaining to the role of a speech therapist since there are professional, ethical and legal concerns that are to be addressed by the professionals. Previously, each Australian State and Territory presents their own Occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation). Nevertheless, in January 2012 different states and territories have worked collaboratively for developing a harmonized OHS Act which is applicable across the jurisdictions. The Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 includes the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia. The Act brings forward different pieces of regulations and legislations. The present report discusses the different WHS policies and procedures relevant to the work as a speech pathologist. For each policy and procedure collected, the purpose of the same is highlighted along with any legal or ethical requirements of the same and definition of any terms that are not clear.
An allied healthcare professional working as a speech therapist needs to abide by the policy of duty of care that entails professionals to take necessary actions for avoiding causing harm to the care consumers. Professionals have the duty of car towards the patients and in case they fail to adhere to the expected standards, they are to be charged with negligence. The purpose of the policy is to guide the professionals in a manner that prevents harm being done to the care consumers. The professional therefore is required to be responsible for the patient’s care that might be basic or complex in nature. The implication is that professionals are to provide competent, ethical and safe care. Further, the professional’s personal judgments must not interfere with the care delivery and compromise the care given. The policy has the ethical requirement of providing best quality care to those in need.
Informed content is a vital procedure that is to be carried out at the initial stage of provision of care. Informed consent is a significant document that acts as the instrument of mutual communication between the patient and the care provider having the expression of permission by the patient. As per the Code of Ethics of Speech Pathology Australia, the purpose is to provide the patient with all the relevant details of the services that are to be provided. This eliminates the chances of unreasonable demands from the service user’s end. The legal requirement of the process of gaining informed consent is that no wrongful claim can be made after the service has been delivered from the service user or service provider’s end. The ethical requirement of the procedure is related to principles of basic human rights and patient autonomy. Patient autonomy is referred to the right to engage in decision making pertaining to services provided without any external influences on the process. The basic human rights pertain to inform the care consumer about the care being delivered.
Professionals must be identifying situations, environment and client-related factors that might pose risk of hazards for individuals. Practical strategies are to be applied for minimizing the identified risks. Any behaviors that pose concern in the context of the work being done are to be identified appropriately. The ethical requirement is that clients are not to be subjected to any risk of harms.
Documentation is to be done by complying to the legal requirements included in the Health Care Records – Documentation and Management Policy Directive. Implementation of services and the consecutive outcomes are to be documented appropriately in a planned and accurate manner. The information to be included should be according to the steps of the service delivered. Accurate documentation ensures that client data is stored in a manner that meets professional and legal requirements. The legal requirement of accurate documentation is that future care can be given as per the needs of client. The ethical requirement of documentation is that care providers gather comprehensive and truthful information of the client.
Since there is a risk of mishandling of equipment, steps are to be taken to ensure that mishandling of equipment do not lead to injury or hazard. A series of steps are to be taken that ensure that the same is conferred to. All personnel are to be familiar with the condition of the client and have experience of handling materials and equipment relevant to it. Handling of instruments and equipment must be used following the manufacturer’s manual and guidelines of the organization. While handling hazardous materials, safety requirements are to be followed.
Professionals must be treating other professionals with fairness, honesty, good faith and respect. All workers must work in a cooperative manner for meeting the needs of the clients. The ethical requirement is pertained to the need of acting as per the best interests of the client. Fellow personnel are to be supported for reflecting on their professional conduct and practice. Assistance is also to be provided for continuing professional development. Communication with professionals must be transparent and two-way communication would be needed. Resolution of conflicts is essential for making the service delivery process smooth and effective. Non-violence in the workplace is also a key aspect of this policy since prevention of violence leads to a suitable environment for service delivery.
All professionals must be having a proactive approach in reporting unfair incidents in the setting. A whistleblower approach is needed among the workers so that any undesired incidents can be readily identified. Any potential risk of hazard is also to be pointed out and reported to the concerned authority within the scope of practice. The term ‘worker’ refers to any individual who carried out work in any particular capacity within a setting or undertaking. This includes an employee, a trainee, a volunteer and an apprentice.
The four communication goals that a client may have while taking part in the speech pathology program include the following:
The following strategies can be taken to confirm a client’s communication needs with the pathologist and liaise with other health professionals:
To get information about the scope of practice in the role of an assistance staffs, all relevant information can be taken from the training institution, the employing organization and the professional body. Awareness about organizational policies or procedure is essential to understand boundaries of the role. It may also give guidance regarding taking part other task such as supervision and consultation process. The duty of care document can also give the right guidance regarding one’s responsibility while caring for client. The contact with professional body can give idea regarding standards of care in the role which are in level with skills, knowledge and experience required for the job.
While working as a staff in speech pathology program, one can encounter a situation where ambiguities exist regarding the scope of practice in the organization. To address such issues in practice, it will be necessary to contact an allied health professional to take advice regarding the course of action in such situation. To work within the scope of practice, following the duty of care requirements can help to work as per expectation of the organization. Complying with standards of care can ensure that now work is done that is beyond training course or professional skills.
To identify possible resources for clients, the following needs to be confirmed with the speech pathologist:
Communication resources may be used in an imaginative way as per client’s need in the following ways:
As per the WHS requirement, safety of resource is important to prevent any harm to client. The safety considerations that are important while developing resources are as follows:
To identify the types of communication resources used by clients previously, it will be important to speak with client’s family or the speech pathologist. The assistance staff can also review client notes and other documentation to understand the devices that were using previously. Knowing about these communication devices is also important to ensure that a communication system familiar to client’s previous resource is used. This may help to identify any complex systems used by client and the need to learn about them. The benefits for staffs is that they can prepare to use new systems with they are not familiar with.
Power supply is needed for the operation of communications devices that require power supply. For example speech generation devices require adequate power supply. Some devices may also have specific power supply requirements. Hence, keeping the communication device close to a wall socket or need for an extension cord should be considered. By assessing the power supply availability of devices, charging requirement of devices can be maintained. This approach will help in the optimal use of the communication systems.
The three considerations that are important while preparing a set out equipment for clients are:
The three common modes of communications that can be effectively used with clients are:
When a client reports difficulties with the program, it will be necessary to report about this to the supervising allied health professional such as the speech pathologist. This will help to take relevant advice from the pathologist and take the best course of action to promote safety and well-being of clients. The supervising health professional have the ability to interpret the situation and determine the impact of the issues on the client. One can do this either by face-to-face contact or by adapting formal mechanisms to approach the speech pathologist.
While participating in the supervision process, I will have the following responsibilities:
It is essential to clean equipments according to the manufacturer’s requirement because to ensure that there is no damage to the equipment during the cleaning process. It may also help to protect material from corrosion or damage and prevent chances of injury during the cleaning process. Cleaning equipment according to manufacturer’s requirement is also essential as per the risk management protocols of an organization. It may help to effectively dismantle and reassemble different parts during the cleaning process.
Materials and equipments used for communication with client should be stored according to the nature of resource and the number of pieces of each equipment. For example, electronic equipments should be kept in a cool and dry place. Very small equipments can be kept in labelled boxes or separate shelves. In addition, the materials that are needed on a daily basis should be kept in easily accessible locations. The location of storage should also be considered by deciding whether a material needs to be kept in a client’s residence or on the organization’s premise.
If any fault has been detected while using the equipment, then it is necessary to report about it to appropriate person. The person may include client or client’s family member, speech pathologist or other allied staffs involved in the care of patient. In response to reporting about faults, appropriate process can be implemented too address them and manage loss or damage to communication equipment. Reporting about faults is also a part of the duty of care requirement to identify sources that increase risk to the client.
Documentation of client’s information should be done according to accepted protocols and organizational requirements. This is necessary to as per the duty of care requirement and the legal requirements of speech pathology services. It may help to work in line organization’s protocol and ensure that relevant format or template is used to document client’s information. It also enables client to work according to organizational expectation and prevent issues of conflict.
References
Ten terminology that can be used during the documentation process includes the following:
Stuttering: A type of speech disorder which impairs the fluency of speech of a client
Dysphagia: Problems related to swallowing of food or drinks
Dysarthria: Symptom of slow speech and unclear speech due to weakness of speech muscles and paralysis
Aphasia: It is the symptoms of loss of voice caused due to damage or injury to the vocal cords
Aphonia: It is the partial or total loss of ability to comprehend ideas or written statements
Articulation disorder: It is the inability to produce create speech sounds
Assessment: Use of formal or informal procedures to assess symptoms or issues in a client
Oral motor: It is used to denote oral structures that are involved in making speech
Developmental disability: It is kind of disability where a child fails to achieve developmental goals such as language and speech development
Intelligible: A term used to denote speech which can be easily comprehensible by others.
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Kennedy, R. ed., 2008. Allied Health Professionals and the Law. Federation Press.
Light, J. and McNaughton, D., 2014. Communicative competence for individuals who require augmentative and alternative communication: A new definition for a new era of communication?.
O’neill, T., Mandak, K. and Wilkinson, K.M., 2017, September. Family Leisure as a Context to Support Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention for Young Children with Complex Communication Needs. In Seminars in speech and language (Vol. 38, No. 04, pp. 313-320). Thieme Medical Publishers.
Ostergren, J.A., 2014. Speech-language pathology assistants: A resource manual. Plural Publishing.
Reichle, J., Drager, K., Caron, J. and Parker-McGowan, Q., 2016, November. Playing the long game: considering the future of augmentative and alternative communication research and service. In Seminars in speech and language(Vol. 37, No. 04, pp. 259-273). Thieme Medical Publishers.
Sigafoos, J., van der Meer, L., Schlosser, R.W., Lancioni, G.E., O’Reilly, M.F. and Green, V.A., 2016. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In Computer-Assisted and Web-Based Innovations in Psychology, Special Education, and Health (pp. 255-285).
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