Entre outras características, o autismo tem desdobramentos na habilidade de uma pessoa compreender e se expressar por meio de recursos simbólicos. O contexto desta tese é a Tecnologia Assistiva, área da Comunicação Aumentativa e Alternativa (CAA) aplicada aos processos de aprendizagem mediada de crianças com autismo. A CAA, por definição, consiste em um sistema integrado de símbolos, recursos, técnicas e estratégias. Para subsidiar a pesquisa, planejamos e implementamos uma intervenção junto a três mães para a orientação quanto à implementação de CAA com recursos de baixa e alta tecnologia junto a seus filhos, crianças de 5 a 8 anos, visando ao desenvolvimento da comunicação no cotidiano. O objetivo geral da pesquisa consistiu em analisar os processos de mediação para pôr em curso o desenvolvimento da linguagem e da comunicação dessas crianças. Tratou-se de uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa baseada nos pressupostos da Teoria Sócio-Histórica e da metodologia de pesquisa-ação. Os materiais e instrumentos de pesquisa incluíram análise documental, observações, análises de registros em áudio e vídeo, diário de campo, materiais produzidos no período de intervenção além da Matriz de Comunicação (ROWLAND, 1996). Discutimos os dados gerados referentes a instrumentos de avaliação para definir o perfil da criança e nortear a definição de objetivos de intervenção; referentes a nosso programa de intervenção; referentes à mediação com CAA para desenvolvimento da comunicação e referentes à dimensão afetiva da mediação com CAA. Os resultados indicam que a Matriz de Comunicação é um instrumento adequado para avaliar o nível de desenvolvimento de habilidades de comunicação e nortear a definição de objetivos de intervenção com CAA com crianças com autismo que não falam. Um programa colaborativo para implementar CAA deve ser sensível ao contexto e a suas necessidades enquanto provê apoios onde são necessários para promover a aderência e a consecução dos objetivos. Durante o processo, percebemos o entrelaçamento da mediação simbólica, da mediação do desempenho e da mediação afetiva na implementação e uso da CAA. A partir de uma perspectiva epistêmica Sócio-Histórica, concluímos que a CAA, enquanto sistema, se configura como artefato cultural potente de mediação que engloba simultaneamente símbolos e instrumentos. No entanto, a mediação não existe per se, se realiza na e pela ação conjunta, de processos interpsicológicos rumo aos intrapsicológicos, na mediação da ação e também da afetividade. Uma vez que esse conjunto de elementos funcionam de modo sinérgico no uso da CAA, observamos o estabelecimento de sentidos mutuamente compartilhados, o desenvolvimento da função comunicativa bem como a regulação do comportamento da criança com autismo. No nível macro, reside o potencial da CAA para fornecer os apoios para o acesso à informação e a superação das barreiras de comunicação, à medida que se amplia a participação social de pessoas com autismo com limitações na fala. / Among other features, autism has consequences on people’s ability to understand and express themselves through symbolic resources. The context of this thesis is in the Assistive Technology field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) as applied to mediated learning processes children with autism. AAC, by definition, consists of an integrated system of symbols, resources, techniques and strategies. We planned and implemented an intervention with three mothers for guidance on the implementation of AAC with their 5-8 years old autistic children. The intervention aimed at the development of communication in daily life. The overall objective of the research was to analyze the mediation process to put language and communication development in progress. It is a qualitative research based on the principles of the Socio-Historical Theory and action research methodology. Materials and research strategies included document analysis, observations, analysis of audio and video recordings, field notes, materials produced during the intervention period as well as the Communication Matrix (ROWLAND, 1996). We discussed data related to assessment tools to define children’s profile and guide the definition of objectives for intervention; data from our intervention program; data from mediation with AAC to foster the development of communication and data from the affective dimension of mediation with AAC. According to results, the Communication Matrix proved to be an adequate tool to assess the level of development of communication skills and to guide the establishment of intervention objectives with AAC for children with autism who do not speak. A collaborative program for AAC implementation with the family should be sensitive to a family’s context and needs while providing support where needed to foster adherence and accomplishment of goals. During the process, we noticed an intertwining of three types of mediation: symbolic, performance and affect mediation in the implementation and use of AAC. From a Socio-Historical epistemic perspective, we conclude that, taken as a system, AAC consists of a powerful cultural artifact of mediation, which simultaneously encompasses symbols and instruments. However, mediation does not exist per se. Mediation takes place in and by joint action, from interpsychological through intrapsychological processes, where performance and affect mediation also play a role. Once that set of elements work synergistically in the use of AAC, we can expect the emergence of shared meanings, the development of communicative functions and the regulation of the child’s behavior in the micro level. In the macro level lies the potential of AAC for bridging gaps for access to information and overcoming communication barriers as social participation of people with autism with limited speech increases. / Entre otras características, el autismo tiene consecuencias en la capacidad de una persona para comprender y expresarse a través de recursos simbólicos. El contexto de esta tesis es la Tecnología Asistida en el ámbito de la Comunicación Aumentativa y Alternativa (CAA) aplicada a los procesos de aprendizaje mediado en niños con autismo. CAA, por definición, consiste en un sistema integrado de símbolos, características, técnicas y estrategias. Para apoyar la investigación, planificamos e implementamos una intervención con tres madres para orientarlas sobre la aplicación de CAA con recursos de baja y alta tecnología a sus hijos de entre 5 y 8 años con objetivo de desarrollar la comunicación en la vida cotidiana. El objetivo general de la investigación fue analizar el proceso de mediación para poner en marcha el desarrollo del lenguaje y la comunicación de los niños. Esta fue una investigación cualitativa basada en los fundamentos de La teoría Socio-Histórico y metodología de investigación. Los materiales e instrumentos de investigación incluyen el análisis de documentos, observaciones, análisis de registros de audio y video, diario de campo e materiales producidos durante el período intervención, además de la Matriz de Comunicación (ROWLAND, 1996). Se discuten los datos producidos en relación a los instrumentos de evaluación para definir el perfil del niño y orientar a la definición de los objetivos de la intervención; en relación con el programa de intervención; en ilación a la mediación con la CAA para el desarrollo de la comunicación y la relación con la dimensión afectiva de la intercesión con la CAA. Los resultados indican que la Matriz de Comunicación es una herramienta apropiada para evaluar el nivel de desarrollo de las habilidades de comunicación y guiar el desarrollo de los objetivos para la con CAA en niños con autismo que no hablan. El programa de colaboración para poner en práctica CAA debe ser sensible al contexto y a las necesidades al mismo tiempo que proporciona apoyo donde sea necesario para promover la adhesión y el logro de las metas. Durante el proceso, nos dimos cuenta de la coorelación de la mediación simbólica, el rendimiento de la mediación y la mediación afectiva en la implementación y uso de la CAA. Desde una perspectiva epistémica socio-histórica, llegamos a la conclusión de que la CAA, como sistema, se configura como un poderoso artefacto de mediación cultural que abarca simultáneamente ambos símbolos e instrumentos. Sin embargo, la mediación no existe per se. La mediación se lleva a cabo en y por la acción conjunta de los procesos inter-psicológicos hacia los intra-psicológicos en la mediación de la acción y también la afectividad. Una vez que este conjunto de elementos trabajan de forma sinérgica en el uso de CAA, se pudo comprobar la creación de significados compartidos mutuamente, el desarrollo de la función comunicativa y la regulación del comportamiento del niño con autismo. A nivel macro, el potencial de la CAA es proporcionar apoyo para el acceso a la información y la superación de las barreras de comunicación, al extender la participación social de las personas con autismo con habla limitada.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an evidence-based practice targeting the communication deficits of children with complex communication needs (CCN). While young children with communication disorders are attending preschool and using AAC, and specifically speech-generating devices (SGDs), with increasing frequency, best practices for implementation with this population are largely unexplored. In an effort to contribute to the knowledge base for teachers, the essential communication partners for children in the classroom setting, this research explored the interactions of four teacher-child dyads and analyzed the prompts and cues used to elicit communicative acts from the children. Results of statistical and descriptive analyses revealed that, while teachers overwhelmingly favor and use verbal prompts over other stimuli, these prompts were no more effective in eliciting communicative acts. These results indicate that teachers would benefit from instruction in a variety of techniques for enhancing communication via AAC; future research directions towards this purpose are detailed.

Comprehension of spoken language skills are often taken for granted in research concerning early childhood language acquisition in typically developing children. While the onset of early word comprehension arguably precedes word production, traditional research has focused on language production rather than comprehension. A similar trend of focussing on expression is evident in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Traditionally, the role of AAC systems for individuals with little or no functional speech (LNFS) has been as an output mode for expressing messages. While this is an essential role and final outcome of AAC intervention strategies, the role of listeners is equally important. The comprehension of spoken language provides an essential foundation upon which language production competence can be built. AAC users' ability to comprehend spoken language is varied from age equivalent comprehension of spoken language to minimal comprehension. Some AAC users comprehend spoken language and therefore come to the AAC acquisition task with an established knowledge of spoken language. Others who experience difficulty comprehending spoken language require AAC as both input (receptive) and output (expressive) mode. Graphic symbols play a role in facilitating comprehension of messages either through facilitating the comprehension of the spoken language or the AAC symbols. The use of augmented input strategies like aided language stimulation is one type of instructional technique used in teaching graphic symbols to AAC users. Aided language stimulation refers to a technique in which a facilitator or communication partner combines the use of AAC with natural speech through simultaneously pointing to graphic symbols and speaking. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the impact of a three week long aided language stimulation program on the receptive language skills of children with LNFS. Four children participated in this multiple probe study. The aided language stimulation programme comprised three activities viz. arts and crafts, food preparation and story time activity. Each activity was repeated over duration of five subsequent sessions. Eight target vocabulary items were taught within each activity. The acquisition of all 24 target items were probed throughout the duration of the three week intervention period. The results indicated that all the participants acquired the target receptive vocabulary items. There were, however, variations in terms of the rate of acquisition. There was no statistically significant improvement in the general receptive language abilities of the participants. / Thesis (PhD (Augmentative and Alternative Communication))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) / unrestricted

Emotions are an essential part of development. There is evidence that young children understand and express emotions through facial expressions. Correct identification and recognition of facial expressions is important to facilitate communication and social interaction. Emotions are represented in a wide variety of symbol sets and systems in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) to enable a person with little or no functional speech to express emotion. These symbols consist of a facial expression with facial features to distinguish between emotions. In spite of the importance of expressing and understanding emotions to facilitate communication, there is limited research on young children’s ability to recognize emotions represented by graphic symbols. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of typically developing fouryearold children to recognize basic emotions as represented by graphic symbols. In order to determine their ability to recognize emotions on graphic symbols, their ability to understand emotions had to be determined. Participants were then required to recognize four basic emotions (happy, sad, afraid, angry) represented by various graphic symbols, taken from PCS (Johnson, 1981), PICSYMS (Carlson, 1985) and Makaton (Grove&Walker, 1990). The purpose was to determine which graphic symbol the children recognized as representation of an emotion. Results showed that the emotion of happy was easier to recognize, which might be because it was the only emotion in the pleasure dimension of emotions. Sad, afraid and angry were more difficult to recognize which might be because they fall in the displeasure dimension. It is also evident from the findings that the facial features in the graphic symbol play an important part in conveying a specific emotion. The results that were obtained are discussed in relation to previous findings. Finally, recommendations for future use are made. / Dissertation (MA (Augumentative and Alternative Communication))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) / MA / unrestricted

The visually impaired community forms a small but integral part of South Africa with the potential to contribute meaningfully to its infrastructure and society, yet blind learners still seem to struggle with computer use. There are various barriers that stand between blind learners and computer access. In this study, I explore the experiences of blind high-school learners (n=4) with regards to computer use. A qualitative case study was applied as research design at a high-school for the visually impaired. Data sources included semi-structured interviews and focus-group discussions, which were audio-recorded and transcribed. Observation-in-thecontext was documented in research diaries and field notes. Following thematic analysis, the following themes emerged: value of computer use for blind users; barriers related to blind computer use; and future solutions and possibilities of blind computer use. Insights may inform future conceptualisation and implementation of computer use amongst blind high school learners. / Mini-dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Educational Psychology / MEd / Unrestricted

People with disabilities are at high risk of becoming victims of crimes. Those individuals with little or no functional speech (LNFS) are even more at risk of being victims of crime. One way of reducing the risk of being a victim of crime is facing the alleged perpetrator in court as a witness; therefore it is important for people with LNFS who have been victims of crimes to have the relevant vocabulary needed to testify in court. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the legal core vocabulary required by illiterate victims of crime, who have little or no functional speech, to testify in court as witness/witnesses. A mixed method, exploratory sequential design consisting of two different phases was used to address the aim of the research. The first phase was qualitative and included two different data sources, namely in-depth semi-structured interviews (n=3) and focus groups (n=22). The overall aim of this phase was to develop a measurement instrument. Results from Phase 1 were used in Phase 2, the quantitative phase, in which the measurement instrument (a custom designed questionnaire) was socially validated by 31 participants. The results produced six distinct categories which represented the core legal vocabulary and 99 words that represented the fringe legal vocabulary. The findings suggested that each communication board should be individualized to the individual and the specific crime. Recommendations were made to develop an AAC Resource Tool Kit to assist professionals involved with a person with LNFS who had been a victim of crime. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) / MA / Unrestricted

The aim of this diploma thesis is to prove that augmentative and diminutive suffixes are not always just bearers of senses "big" / "of big size", in the case of augmentative suffixes, and "small" / "of small size", in the case of diminutive suffixes, and that they can also be accompanied by various connotations. The thesis is divided into several parts. The first part is concentrated on the topic of the morpheme in Portuguese in general. The next two parts are dedicated to particular augmentative and diminutive suffixes, concretely to their origin and especially to their specifics. Fundamental is the last part which focuses on the systematization of the senses of suffixes mentioned in previous chapters. Key words: word-formation, derivation, suffixes, augmentative suffixes, diminutive suffixes, connotation

Barn är en stor patientgrupp inom ögonsjukvård, vilka har behov av att känna trygghet exempelvis genom att få förberedande information. För att möjliggöra detta krävs att barnet får möjlighet att kommunicera på sin nivå. Alternativ kompletterande kommunikation som till exempel bildstöd kan vara en möjlighet att ge barnet förutsättningar för att få sin röst hörd. Syftet med studien var att undersöka sjuksköterskors uppfattningar om att använda bildstöd i omvårdnaden av barn inom ögonsjukvård. En kvalitativ intervjustudie med induktiv ansats genomfördes där sex ögonsjuksköterskor och två allmänsjuksköterskor intervjuades med hjälp av semistrukturerade frågor. Data analyserades med hjälp av kvalitativ innehållsanalys, vilket resulterade i tre huvudkategorier: Barnet i centrum, Bildstödets betydelse, och Viljan att använda bildstöd. I resultatet framkom att ögonsjuksköterskan använder bildstöd i låg grad. Det fanns ett intresse för att börja använda sig av och implementera bildstöd. Genom att använda bildstöd kan barnet förberedas inför sitt besök och på så sätt skapas trygghet samt främjas kommunikation. Genom att göra barnets röst hörd skapas möjlighet att arbeta utifrån ett barncentrerat perspektiv. Då tidigare erfarenhet av bildstöd inom ögonsjukvård är bristfällig var det av stor vikt att utforska ämnet vidare. / Children are a large patient group in ophthalmic care. Children have a need to feel secure and have access to introductory information. To enable this, the child must be able to communicate at his or her level. Alternative augmentative communication such as image support may be an opportunity for the child to have their voice heard. The purpose of the study was to investigate nurses' perceptions of using image support in the care of children in ophthalmic care. A qualitative study was conducted with an inductive approach where six ophthalmic nurses and two registered nurses were interviewed with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using content analysis, which resulted in three main categories: The child in focus, The meaning of image support and The willingness to use image support. The result showed that the ophthalmic nurse uses image support to a low degree. They showed an interest in using image support and implementing it in their routines. The use of image support provided security for the child by making them more prepared for the visit as well as promoted communication with the child. The thesis showed that by making the child's voice heard, the opportunity to work from a child-centered perspective was increased. As previous experience of image support in ophthalmic care is inadequate, it is of great importance to explore this subject further.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of training peer models to implement the system of least prompts and model augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) on expressive language in children with developmental delays. Using a multiple probe across participants design, 4 students with developmental delays were trained to use a language output app on the iPad to communicate five common phrases. Results for 3 participants indicated a functional relation between the peer modeling and expressive language. One student did not complete the intervention due to excessive absences. In most cases, students increased verbal language. Two participants made progress with the intervention as it was planned. One student needed for the intervention to be adapted, then progressed. All three students were able to maintain these language skills. Future research should be carried out with students with different disabilities, older students, and further studies with preschool-aged students.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) might restore communication to people severely disabled by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or other disorders. We sought to: 1) define a protocol for determining whether a person with ALS can use a visual P300-based BCI; 2) determine what proportion of this population can use the BCI; and 3) identify factors affecting BCI performance. Twenty-five individuals with ALS completed an evaluation protocol using a standard 6 × 6 matrix and parameters selected by stepwise linear discrimination. With an 8-channel EEG montage, the subjects fell into two groups in BCI accuracy (chance accuracy 3%). Seventeen averaged 92 (± 3)% (range 71-100%), which is adequate for communication (G70 group). Eight averaged 12 (± 6)% (range 0-36%), inadequate for communication (L40 subject group). Performance did not correlate with disability: 11/17 (65%) of G70 subjects were severely disabled (i.e. ALSFRS-R < 5). All L40 subjects had visual impairments (e.g. nystagmus, diplopia, ptosis). P300 was larger and more anterior in G70 subjects. A 16-channel montage did not significantly improve accuracy. In conclusion, most people severely disabled by ALS could use a visual P300-based BCI for communication. In those who could not, visual impairment was the principal obstacle. For these individuals, auditory P300-based BCIs might be effective.