Augmentative and Alternative CommunicationLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

The students understand the significance of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as enabler of the wellbeing and involvement of a client / patient needing special support. They know different communication methods and related auxiliary devices augmenting and alternating speech. They are able to communicate and interact with special needs people and they can, in cooperation with a support network, promote the communicative possibilities of the communities the special needs people lives.

Content

The central contents are the individual needs of the people with special, communicative needs, the definition of the AAC concept and different methods of AAC communication (feature language, support sign languages, image and object communication, bliss language). Image communication exercises (Symbolikirjoitus2000 program, BoardMaker Program), teaching methods, auxiliary devices and their use, interpreter and other support services.

Qualifications

The students have experience in working with clients of social and health care. The students master the basics of communication and interaction.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

excellent (5): the students participate in contact lessons and discussions in the virtual learning environment and complete the agreed assignments. In assignments, they show innovativeness and in written assignments the ability to describe and justify the phenomena of the topic. The students follow the instructions of JUA for written assignments.
very good - good (3-4): the students participate in contact lessons and discussions in the virtual learning environment and complete agreed assignments. In written assignments, they show ability to describe and justify the phenomena of the topic by exploiting Finnish sources. The students follow the instructions of JUA for written assignments.
satisfactory - sufficient(1-2): the students partially participate in contact lessons and contribute little or none to discussions in the virtual learning environment. The students complete the agreed assignments. In written assignments, they describe the phenomena of the topic without justifying them and using only some source material. The students partially follow the instructions of JUA for written assignments.