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Using Assistive Technology to Foster Speech and Language Skills at Home and in Preschool

By Skau, Lauren; Cascella, Paul W.; Teaching Exceptional Children, Vol. 38, No. 6, pp. 12-17
Publication Date: August 2006

Article focuses on assistive technology (AT) strategies and tools that the authors have used to foster communication for children in preschool and home settings. Examples of AT such as picture communication boards, adapted books, and voice output communication devices are discussed. Seven voice output devices are described: (1) the BIGmack and LITTLEmack Communicators from Ablenet, (2) the LITTLE Step-by-Step Communicator and BIG Step-by-Step Communicator from Ablenet, (3) the Step-by-Step Communicator With Levels, also from Ablenet, (4) the Sequencer from Mayer-Johnson, (5) the Stepper, also from Mayer-Johnson, (6) Cheaptalk 4 and Cheaptalk 8 from Enabling Devices, and (7) the 7-Level Communication Builder, also from Enabling Devices. The BIGmack and LITTLEmack Communicators are single-message devices, as they each store 75 seconds of recorded speech as accessed by the touch of a button. The LITTLE Step-by-Step Communicator and BIG Step-by-Step Communicator also store 75 seconds of recorded speech, though messages can be sequenced by the touch of a button. The Step-by-Step Communicator With Levels can record up to three switch accessible message levels, while the Sequencer can record up to 90 seconds of speech and had two message levels. The Stepper features 60 seconds of sequenced and recorded speech and has a pocket for pictures, while Cheaptalk 4 and Cheaptalk 8 provide up to five seconds of recorded speech on either four or eight message cells. The 7-Level Communication Builder allows one, two, four, eight, or sixteen messages for each of seven levels, and a total of three hundred seconds of recorded speech, along with an overlay window for each message level. The use of sign language among preschool students is also discussed.

Assistive Products Discussed: 7 LEVEL COMMUNICATION BUILDER (MODELS 7075 & 7075B)
LITTLEMACK COMMUNICATOR (FORMERLY ONE-STEP)
LITTLE STEP-BY-STEP COMMUNICATOR (FORMERLY STEP-BY-STEP)
BIGMACK COMMUNICATOR
SEQUENCER
PARTNER ONE / STEPPER
Published by:

Council for Exceptional Children    (Web Site: http://www.cec.sped.org )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J50914
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