Table 2 Characteristics of PI Group Members
Underlying medical condition | Gender | Age category | Type of AAC used | Communication method | Communication partner/facilitator during meetings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cerebral palsy | M | 40–60 | Tablet computer (Grid Pada); Grid 3 softwarea; switch access (joystick switch mounted on wheelchair) | AAC device; Makaton sign; speech - single words/short sentences (slurred speech, understood by familiar listeners) | Life partner attended all meetings and interpreted speech and sign on behalf of group member when these were used |
Head injury | M | 18–40 | Tablet computer (Grid Pada); Grid 3 softwarea; touch screen access | AAC device; thumbs up/down for yes/no; no speech | Speech and language therapist or key worker support: repeated and simplified instructions when necessary, encouraging group member to find appropriate vocabulary on screen, provided physical access to resources; informed group of when a message had been constructed on AAC. |
Cerebral palsy | M | 18–40 | Tablet computer (Mobi 2b); Mind Express softwarec; touch screen access | AAC device; head nod/ shake for yes/no; no speech | Speech and language therapist or key worker support: encouraged group member to find appropriate vocabulary on screen, supported physical access to resources |
Cerebral palsy | M | 40–60 | Tablet computer (Grid Pada); Grid 3 softwarea; eye-gaze access (eye-gaze camera integrated into computer) | AAC device; eye movement for yes/no; no speech | Personal assistant: informed the group when group member was constructing a message on AAC, supported with physical access resources |
Primary Lateral Sclerosis | M | 60–80 | Hand-held, dedicated communication aid device (Lightwriter Swiftd); Direct, manual access | Speech – uses full sentences (often quiet and/or slurred); AAC device when speech is not understood for some single words and to provide information such as introductions | Group facilitator would sometimes repeat what group member was saying if he was not understood/heard by the rest of the group |
Stroke | M | 60–80 | iPad computer; Predictable softwaree; direct, manual access | AAC device; gesture (thumbs up/ thumbs down, head shake, shrug); no speech | Group facilitator would identify when messages were being constructed on AAC and create space in the meeting for the message to be produced synthetically and heard |
Head injury | M | 18–40 | Tablet computer (Tobii i15f); Grid 3 softwarea; eye-gaze access (eye-gaze camera integrated into computer) | AAC device; smile for ‘yes’, head shake for ‘no’; no speech | Speech and language therapist or key worker support: repeated and simplified instructions when necessary, encouraging group member to find appropriate vocabulary on screen, provided physical access to resources; informed group of when a message had been constructed on AAC. |