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<p>The original Pragmatics Profile of Everyday Communication Skills in Children was written by Hazel Dewart and Susie Summers. This revised version has been created with the permission of NFER &#8211; Nelson. This Profile should be used with individuals who have used AAC in the past, are currently using AAC, or where you feel that an individual is using informal modes of AAC and you wish to introduce more formal methods.</p>
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<p>This resource is <strong>free</strong> to download. There are two versions:</p>
<ol>
<li>Print &amp; Fill. This allows you to download and print a paper copy and fill it in by hand</li>
<li>Auto Entry. This allows you to fill it in electronically with Microsoft Word.</li>
</ol>
<p>To cite this work:<br />
Martin, S., Small, K., and Stevens, R. 2017. The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC (First Published 26 Sep 2017). Available at:<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/pragmatics-profile-people-use-aac/">https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/pragmatics-profile-people-use-aac/</a>.</p>
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The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC

Auto Entry

Print & Fill

<p dir="ltr" data-test-bidi="">For a more general all round introduction to low tech symbol based AAC, you could see another resource in this AAC Information Series, Getting Started with AAC: Using low tech symbol based systems with children.</p>


Access to paper-based symbol resources when pointing is difficult

<p>The aim of this resource is explore access to low tech symbol based AAC when accessing standard resources is difficult physically or visually. It is aimed at people who are familiar with low tech AAC, but want to find out more about how to adjust and adapt the resources to meet individual needs.</p>


<p><strong>This fully revised and updated illustrated guide describes what’s required to construct and use a communication book with a preliterate individual.  This second edition builds on all that was good about the original, much loved guide, incorporating the wealth of experience of the full Ace Centre team.  The guide offers clarity for parents, carers and professionals in developing communication books that progressively help people to communicate an increasing number of messages.  </strong></p>
<p>The guide sets out:</p>
<ul>
<li>An updated, stable core vocabulary that is available from every topic page to promote its use.  The core vocabulary is developed through five stages and includes a newly simplified Stage One.</li>
<li>Ideas for developing a fringe vocabulary that can meet an individual’s interests, needs and varied environments, with plenty of examples included.</li>
<li>A continued promotion of the communication of rich ideas through symbols rather than the production of grammatically correct sentences for face-to-face communication.</li>
<li>A new approach to organising pages and accessing vocabulary with a suggested menu, tabs and supports for navigating around the book.</li>
<li>The importance of a communication partner who is taught, through the guide, to use and model the symbols during communication and to support and scaffold the learner’s own communication attempts.</li>
</ul>
<div class="rounded-img wp-image-2831 size-thumbnail aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" src="https://acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-20-at-15.44.40-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></div>
<p>The guide itself with its sample pages is presented in an A5 file, but a learner’s communication book can easily be created at A4 size if this is preferred.  Templates for use with most resource making software are available for download along with worksheets to assist in generating page and vocabulary ideas. Download the templates here:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/2017/10/Boardmaker-V6-templates-A5.zip">Boardmaker V6 templates A5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/2017/10/Boardmaker-V6-templates-A4.zip">Boardmaker V6 templates A4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/2017/10/What-words-and-pages-do-I-need-in-my-book.pdf">What words and pages do I need in my book</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/2017/10/Identifying-vocabulary-for-topic-pages.zip">Identifying vocabulary for topic pages</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/2017/10/Boardmaker-Studio-templates.zip">Boardmaker Studio templates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/2017/10/MindExpress-Templates.zip">MindExpress Templates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/2017/10/InPrint-3-files-1.zip">InPrint-3-files</a></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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Developing and Using a Communication Book

<p>The quoted price is for Look2Talk Complete. Look2Talk Reference Materials and the Look2Talk Binder are also available to purchase separately &#8211; details given below.</p>
<p>Look2Talk is the award-winning guide for parents and professionals who need to make and use a communication book for children who communicate using their eyes alone.</p>
<p>When speech can’t be understood, and using hands or fingers to point is difficult, eye-pointing to pictures, symbols or text can be a fast and effective way of communicating a wide range of messages. This guide introduces a step-by-step system that brings in symbols and pictures at a speed that suits both the child and the responder. It emphasises the importance of learning together in fun, relaxed activities where the child can take control.</p>
<p>Accompanied by a DVD that contains tutorials and real-life example clips, the guide covers all of the essential questions that need to be answered, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>What vocabulary do I put in the book?</li>
<li>How many pictures or symbols do I use on a page?</li>
<li>Where and when do I start to use the book?</li>
<li>How do I develop the book over time?</li>
</ul>
<p>Look2Talk complements Clare Latham&#8217;s popular Developing and Using a Communication Book for children who can finger-point, and both books have similar key concepts:</p>
<ul>
<li>A stable core vocabulary, available on each page of the communication binder, that develops through five stages. This core, ranging from just two symbols in Stage Two to 24 in Stage Five, is based on the development of children’s functional language as opposed to syntactical language.</li>
<li>A fringe vocabulary designed to meet an individual&#8217;s interests, needs and varied environments.</li>
<li>The importance of a communication partner who is shown, throughout the process, how to use and model the symbols during communication and to support and scaffold the learners’ own communication attempts.</li>
</ul>
<p>We know of no other resource that provides such specific and comprehensive guidance to help this small but important group of children who struggle to communicate.</p>
<h2>What&#8217;s in the box?</h2>
<p>Look2Talk Complete contains a 60-page guide book alongside a custom-made communication easel binder (see below) complete with core and example vocabulary dividers. These materials are accompanied by a DVD of video clips and a CD containing templates for the topic pages. The binder and core vocabulary dividers are designed to form the basis for your own communication book.</p>
<h3>Symbol page templates</h3>
<p>There are Boardmaker templates for the core and topic pages, and additional Microsoft Word templates for the topic pages.</p>
<h3>Also available:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Look2Talk Reference Materials &#8211; £75.00 plus p&amp;p (no VAT) &#8211; this contains all the materials in Look2Talk Complete except for the binder</li>
<li>Look2Talk Binder &#8211; £80.00 plus p&amp;p (no VAT) &#8211; just the easel binder itself</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Look2Talk Communication Binder</h2>
<p>This A4 easel binder is a result of collaboration between parents and ourselves to find the best solution to the recurring problem of unsuitable off-the-shelf binders falling over, falling apart and generally hindering the communication process. As one parent said during the testing phase:&#8221;We LOVE the folder&#8230; it&#8217;s a HUGE improvement on all the other binders! Do we have to give the prototype back?&#8221;</p>
<p>Built to a very high specification, it features:</p>
<ul>
<li>Sturdy construction with reinforced corners</li>
<li>Large 50mm rings</li>
<li>Side panels to maintain the shape of the binder, even under heavy page loads</li>
<li>Firm press-stud fastenings to hold the binder open or closed</li>
<li>Spine-mounted carry handle</li>
<li>Clear insert on the cover for personalisation</li>
</ul>
<p>We recognise that not everyone will need the binder, so we also offer Look2Talk without it.</p>
<div class="rounded-img alignnone size-full wp-image-938"><img loading="lazy" src="https://acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/l2tbinderpic_3_836.jpg" alt="Look2Talk Communication Binder" width="350" height="131" srcset="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/l2tbinderpic_3_836.jpg 350w, https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/l2tbinderpic_3_836-300x112.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></div>
<h2>About Look2Talk</h2>
<p>This publication is the result of the two-year <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/project/look2talk/">Look2Talk Project</a> run by the Ace Centre to support and learn from children who can only use their eyes to communicate. The authors are experienced practitioners who specialise in AAC for children with severe communication and physical difficulties.</p>


Look2Talk

Templates Only

Complete

Ring Binder Only

Reference Materials Only

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<p dir="ltr" data-test-bidi="">Find videos and support materials if you or are a family member requires solutions to help communicate due to a progressive condition such as MND/ALS, PSP, MS, Parkinson&#8217;s disease.</p>
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Paper-based resources to support Communication for Adults with Progressive Conditions

<p>This guide provides information about paper-based tools and strategies that can support communication if speech is becoming or has become difficult due to an acquired progressive condition. It is written for people living with such a condition and also for family, carers and relevant professionals.</p>


<p>Please note that this resource is not suggesting that low tech is ‘best’, or that low tech is a prerequisite to a more high tech communication aid. It is simply about valuing the role of paper based communication systems, and sharing lots of ideas and strategies to help develop and support them. You may well find that many of the ideas and strategies are useful when it comes to other forms of communication too.</p>


Designing and using alphabet charts

<p>The aim of this resource is help you design and use alphabet charts with people who can’t rely on speech, enabling them to communicate to the best of their ability. Through communication we can express ourselves, learn, have fun, and be active members of society</p>


<p align="center">
<p align="center"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/SsYAjiFRta8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start">﻿</span></iframe></p>
<p>The design of our Ace Centre E-Tran frame has been carefully considered to give the best experience for both user and communication partner.</p>
<p>This ergonomic and lightweight board allows for holding with elbows locked making it more comfortable to use for longer periods than other E-Tran frames. Extensive testing was applied by Ace Centre to find the best font and colours for ease of use and identification of letters.</p>
<p>The text has been printed directly onto the plastic to make it easier to wipe down. It’s manufactured from PET-G, a thermoplastic polyester, which means the Ace Centre E-Tran is longer lasting with improved chemical resistance during decontamination procedures.</p>
<p><b>Features and benefits:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Ergonomic design for comfort</li>
<li>Lightweight and easy to use</li>
<li>Improved chemical resistance for cleaning</li>
<li>Wide central opening for eye contact</li>
<li>Printed and blank options available</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Specification:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Weight: 400g</li>
<li>Dimensions: 377mm wide x 334m high. 3mm thick, 9mm thick at handles</li>
<li>Material: PET-G (thermoplastic polyester)</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Costs: </b></p>
<ul>
<li>
<div>Price exclusive of VAT</div>
</li>
<li>Free shipping</li>
</ul>


Ace Centre E-Tran Frame

Printed

Blank

<p>Over 80 additional pointers and cursors for those with visual or perceptual difficulties. Icon styles include animated, coloured, large, I-beams and circles.</p>
<p>The pointers have been designed here at the Ace Centre, so if you have a need or a suggestion for a particular pointer style, please let us know. (Note &#8211; some people are understandably concerned what this installer contains. You can see the entire source code &#8211; and <a href="https://github.com/AceCentre/AceCursors">build your own installer here</a>).</p>
<p>Instructions on how to download, install and change your cursor can be found in this video:</p>
<div class="responsive-embed widescreen"><iframe title="How to install Ace Cursors" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YpddAhEiSjc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Other downloadable cursors</h2>
<p>There&#8217;s more large cursors available for free download at <a href="http://athena.uoa.gr/eng/categories/view/5">Athena: Free Assistive Technology Software Inventory </a>  or <a href="http://rbx.de/big-cursors/">Rabe&#8217;s big cursors</a></p>


Large Pointers

Core

<p>Core words are a set of words that we use across huge numbers of different situations. These are words like ‘help’, ‘look’, ‘more’, ‘stop’, etc.  Core words are the sort of words that young children start using very early on, and therefore are the sort of words that we want to get started with straight away.</p>
<p>A great way to get started with low tech AAC is to simply print off a communication chart of core vocabulary and use it whilst chatting in whatever situation you find yourself.</p>
<p>You can incorporate the words into so many activities – e.g. for talking about watching “more” television or observing that someone is bored and wants to “stop”.  As the charts get more extensive, you will have access to words that enable you to describe what’s going on or how the child might be feeling, offer help, ask a question, and so on.</p>


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