Sometimes, it can be difficult to communicate something about a sensitive topic, or something hard to talk about. It can be even more problematic when your vocabulary is limited with AAC devices. The issues that someone may want to talk about could be trauma, grief or loss, mental health, abuse, bullying, sexual orientation, conflict, experiences with racism, or sexism, and health issues.
An AAC user might not have access to this vocabulary on their high-tech device or in their communication book. Having the language to express refusal, rejection, and say no, as well as be heard when something isn’t right, is so important. An AAC user and their team can explore this need when the vocabulary is being personalised for their AAC system.
Using TD Snap
Dedicated communication devices or app versions on an iPad or Windows tablets
Let’s look at some features and settings that enable individuals to understand and have the vocabulary to express themselves on sensitive issues.
A common query that we receive for technical support has been about symbol search and access to sexuality symbols. The software usually defaults to not showing ‘adult’ or ‘unsafe’ symbols. To change this default setting you will need to follow these steps to toggle this option on:
TD Snap: Settings > System > Symbol Sets – Safe Symbol Search
Did you know?
Tobii Dynavox frequently receives suggestions for new symbols. Many Picture Communications Symbols (PCS) have been updated or created as new words emerge and language evolves. There are over 40,000 symbols in the Classic, ThinLine, High Contrast, and In Context formats. Be sure to download the symbols in TD Snap to access old favourites as well as newly added words.
You can do this in Settings:
Settings > System > Symbol Sets
Pagesets
By exploring the pagesets in your software you might find that there are already pathways to talk about ‘what’s wrong?’ or that ‘something has happened’. There may also be specific Topic pages for race, social care, relationships, health, and sexuality, or pages for curse words, arguing, and advocating. If you don’t have them in your pageset, you may be able to import them or use them as ideas to help you create something from scratch. Contact your clinical team AT consultant if you need help with programming.
Sample page from TD Snap Core First, Sexuality topic
Sample page from TD Snap: Core First – Topic – Arguing
TD Snap can also be used to generate printable resources such as:
- social stories
- communication boards
- books
- visual aids
Other low tech resources
The Toolkit Inside Me is an illustrated book by Tobii Dynavox. It can be used to help children understand how they can use the tools within themselves to cope with uncomfortable or scary situations.
There are also some photo stories on protesting and racism that can be handy visual supports for creating discussion around these topics.
Communication boards for an individual who may have been a victim of abuse have been developed by The Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication with Dr Diane Bryan from Temple University in the United States. These boards come in a variety of languages and use the Picture Communication Symbols (PCS).
