Situational Vocabulary for Adults Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

By Barbara M. Collier, SLP

With this invaluable guide you'll get a useful tool to assist you and AAC users in the process of selecting vocabulary for AAC communication displays and devices. It presents a catalog of suggested words and phrases contributed by expert AAC users and their service providers for a variety of situations. The clear, concise tables help make the selection process easy as users choose vocabulary that best suits them and their lives. Topics include sensitive situations and personal subjects such as advocacy, friendships, sexuality, employment, directing services, legal issues, and death. You'll also get tips and suggestions from AAC users on how they best communicate in various situations. With a more personalized vocabulary, AAC users will be better able to direct their own services and enjoy a more independent lifestyle.

Introduction: Updating Your Vocabulary

• Finding an Assistant if You Need One
• Determining the Type of Vocabulary You Need
  1. Personal Vocabulary
  2. Frequently Used or Core Vocabulary
  3. Situational Vocabulary
• Selecting the Situations in Which You Need to Communicate
• Selecting the Vocabulary
  1. Add (Column 1)
• Something Like This (Column 2)
• Representing Your Vocabulary
  1. Decide Whether You Need a Word or a Phrase
  2. Represent Your Vocabulary in a Way that Makes Sense to You
  3. Organize Your Vocabulary
• Practicing Using Your New Vocabulary
• Updating Your Vocabulary Regularly

1. Directing Personal Service
   • General Services Vocabulary
     1. Daily Chores / Light Housekeeping
     2. Weekly Housekeeping
     3. Laundry
     4. Cooking
     5. Care of Wheelchair and Devices
     6. Washing/Showering
     7. Hair Care
     8. Shaving
     9. Dental Care
     10. Nail Care
     11. Makeup
     12. Bathroom
     13. Feminine Hygiene
     14. Skin Care
     15. Eating and Drinking
     16. Common Illnesses
     17. Making Appointments/Bookings for Attendant Services
     18. Giving Feedback to Attendants
   • Sample Morning and Evening Routines
     1. Sample Morning Routine
     2. Sample Evening Routine
   • Services
   • Environments
   • People
   • Service Contracts
   • Rights
   • Dealing with Conflicts and Violations

   
   

2. Participating in Service Meetings
   • Planning the Meeting
   • Setting the Agenda
   • Participating in Discussions
   • Developing Action Plans

   
   

3. Interviewing Service Providers
   • Hiring and/or Getting to Know an Assistant
   • Interviewing Health Care Professionals

   
   

4. Communicating About Your Communication System
   • Selecting an AAC Device
   • Maintaining a Communication Device
   • Leasing or Purchasing a System
   • Maintaining a Display
     1. Adding and Deleting Vocabulary
     2. Trays/Mounts
   • Maintaining a Computer
     1. Hardware
     2. Pointing Devices
     3. Keyboards
     4. Software
     5. Problems

   
   

5. Seating
   • Seating Problems
   • Repairs and Modifications

   
   

6. Transportation
   General Terms and Phrases

   
   

7. Advocacy
   • Politics and Legislation
   • Self-Advocacy
   • Fund-Raising

   
   

8. Banking and Finances
   • General Terms and Phrases

   
   

9. Grocery Shopping
   • General Terms and Phrases

   
   

10. Eating Out
    • Ordering
    • Descriptions for Food
    • Utensils
    • Accessibility

    
    

11. Requesting Clarification
    • Communicating that You Have a Problem
    • Communicating How You Want Help

    
    

12. Social Conversations
    • How You Communicate
    • What Your Partner Should Do
    • Greetings
    • Small Talk
    • Meeting New People
    • Quick Responses
    • Wrap-Ups
    • Farewells

    
    

13. Using the Telephone
    • With a Voice Output Device
      1. Calling Someone You Don't Know
      2. Quick Responses
      3. Clarifications
    • Asking Someone to Make a Call on Your Behalf
    • Instructions for a Translator
    • Instructions for an Interpreter

    
    

14. Safety
    • Security Issues
    • Emergencies

    
    

15. Participating at a Convention
    General Terms and Phrases

    
    

16. Sexuality
    • Body
    • Reproduction and Health
    • Relationships
    • Feelings/Descriptions
    • Sexual Activity
      

    
    

17. Clarifying Your Message
    • When You Don't Have the Word You Need
    • Helping a Partner Guess
    • When Your Message is Misinterpreted

    
    

18. Death and Bereavement
    • Death
    • Grieving
    • Hearing About a Death

    
    

19. Legal Vocabulary
    • General Terms and Phrases

    
    

References and Vocabulary Resources
Appendix A: Adding to Your Personal Vocabulary by Category
Appendix B: General Resources