The DynaVox implementation toolkit has some great newsletters that they release on a regular basis. These are linked on our website with a range of different ideas for using AAC in adult settings whether it be someone with a congenital or acquired communication disability.

Some of the articles relate to use of speech generating devices and you can easily relate this to any device an adult might be using. Other articles provide techniques for the communication partner to develop social interactions. There are also some great articles about strategies for organisation and memory.

• Issue 1 – Creating Your Plan for Successful Device Use
• Issue 2 – Communication Partner Techniques for Supporting Individuals with Aphasia
• Issue 3 – Maintaining Social Relationships
• Issue 4 – Managing the Day with Calendars and Reminders
• Issue 5 – Using the Telephone
• Issue 6 – Word Processing and Managing Documents
• Issue 7 – Personal Narratives: Telling Your Stories

One of my favourite newsletters is the one about telling your stories. We all love a good story and older adults, in particular, use stories to entertain, teach and establish social closeness with their peers. Most of my memories of my Nanna and Poppa are of the stories they told us over a cuppa tea or in my Pop’s case a cold beer and a rolled cigarette.

The need to socially connect with other adult individuals becomes important as individuals lose their spouses and move to retirement and care facilities. Storytelling becomes a vehicle for developing these connections and has become practical and possible with improved AAC technology.

So check out the range of newsletters and think about how you could be using these strategies with adults with CCN.

And don’t forget to check back and see if any new articles have been added.