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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.
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This resource is free to download. There is one version which can be used in two ways:
<ol>
<li>Print &amp; Fill  &#8211; download, print and fill in by hand</li>
<li>Auto Entry &#8211;  download and fill in electronically with Microsoft Word</li>
</ol>
To cite this work: 
Martin, S., Small, K., and Stevens, R. 2024. The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC  &#8211; Second Edition (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>.
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The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC

Read Dear Zoo

Getting Started with Core Words

Express Yourself!

Too learn more about literacy instruction for people who use AAC or who have complex needs we suggest the following sources:
General literacy: 
<a href="https://literacyforallinstruction.ca/">Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Disabilities </a> website with information and guidance
<a href="http://www.project-core.com/">Project Core </a> website with information and free professional development modules
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46177933-comprehensive-literacy-for-all">Comprehensive Literacy for All</a> book with information and guidance
<a href="http://www.teachustoo.org.uk/">Teach Us Too</a> UK based charity promoting literacy education for all
&nbsp;
Self Directed Reading: 
<a href="https://praacticalaac.org/praactical/5-ways-to-make-page-fluffers-and-spacers">PrAACtical AAC </a>blog with tips on making books accessible
<a href="https://www.janefarrall.com/self-selected-reading-books-for-every-reader/">Jane Farrall</a> presentation handout with tips and information
<a href="https://www.monarchreader.com/">Monarch Reader (formerly Tar Heel Reader)</a> large bank of free online books
&nbsp;
Shared Reading: 
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/all?category=symbol-charts&amp;page=1&amp;subcategory=leisure">Ace Centre Symbol Chart</a> free printable symbol charts to support reading books
<a href="https://www.sharedreader.org/">Tar Heel Shared Reader</a> website with information and free professional development modules
&nbsp;
Letter and Sounds 
<a href="https://www.janefarrall.com/teaching-and-learning-the-alphabet-playing-with-letter-shapes-and-sounds/">Jane Farrall</a> blog post on teaching the alphabet
<a href="https://sites.google.com/view/emergingreaders/home-a-z-books">Reading &amp; Writing 4 All</a> website with free resources for teaching the alphabet
&nbsp;
Writing: 
<a href="https://www.med.unc.edu/healthsciences/clds/alternative-pencils/">Centre for Literacy and Disability Studies Alternative Pencils </a>information and resources
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/all?category=alphabet-charts">Ace Centre Alphabet Charts </a> free printable alphabet charts to use for writing

Getting Started with AAC and Literacy

This leaflet is a starting point for introducing literacy instruction to people who use AAC and why it is important.

We often recommend using software such as <a href="https://www.splash-city.com">Splash Maths</a> or <a href="https://www.arithmetype.com">ArithmeType</a> etc for specialist accessible maths programs. Yet some students simply need access to a scientific calculator that is accessible via their input method.  There are solutions such as <a href="https://www.desmos.com">Desmos</a> which provide a full range of accessible online maths software, however, they take up screen-space and are not always fully keyboard accessible.
Ace Centre has created a Scientific Calculator, inspired by collaboration with students we work with and <a href="http://candleaac.com">CandLE,</a> this solution is smaller, can be operated entirely with keyboard shortcuts and can run offline. Click the download button above to get the free offline version or <a href="https://github.com/AceCentre/ace-aac-calc/releases/download/v2.0.0/ScientificCalculator-Setup.exe">click here</a>.
An online version of this calculator is also available for Grid 3 which you can find by <a href="https://grids.thinksmartbox.com/en/will-wade/4ff14885-e136-4dfe-a687-a5a0277e5873">clicking here to access it from Online Grids.</a>
To use, install the software, then install the grid set which you will find on your desktop. There will be a shortcut to the web page which is then installed on your PC if you want to use that with anything else.
More info:
Basic Math
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">2 + 2 = 4</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">1/2 × 20 = 10</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">√16 = 4</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">π × 2 = 6.283185307</li>
</ul>
Scientific Functions
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">sin(45) = 0.7071067812</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">log(100) = 2</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">√(π) = 1.7724538509</li>
</ul>
Random Numbers
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">rand() = 0.7324846372         # Random number between 0-1</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">floor(rand() * 6) + 1 = 4    # Roll a die (1-6)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">floor(rand() * 100) + 1 = 42 # Random number 1-100</li>
</ul>
Algebraic Expressions
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">x^2 + 2x + 1                 # Quadratic expression</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">2x + 2y                      # Linear expression with variables</li>
</ul>
Memory Operations
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Store current result: Ctrl/⌘ + P (M+)</li>
<li>Subtract from memory: Ctrl/⌘ + M (M-)</li>
<li>Recall memory: Ctrl/⌘ + R (MR)</li>
</ul>
Line References with @
Maybe slightly easier that using M+,M- etc you can reference previous results using the @ symbol followed by the line number. Each line in the history is numbered for easy reference.
<ol>
<li>10 + 5 = 15</li>
<li>20 + 12.5 = 32.5</li>
<li>@2−@1 → (32.5)−(15) = 17.5</li>
</ol>
Examples
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>@1 references the result from line 1</li>
<li>1000 &#8211; @3 subtracts line 3&#8217;s result from 1000</li>
<li>@2 * @1 multiplies results from lines 2 and 1</li>
<li>floor(@1 * 6) uses line 1&#8217;s result in a function</li>
</ul>
The calculator will show both your expression with @ references and the expanded calculation with actual values.
Keyboard Shortcuts
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Enter or = &#8211; Evaluate expression</li>
<li>Escape &#8211; Clear workpad</li>
<li>↑ &#8211; Previous expression</li>
<li>↓ &#8211; Next expression</li>
<li>Alt/⌘ + D &#8211; Toggle Degrees/Radians</li>
<li>Ctrl + (0-9) &#8211; Set decimal places</li>
</ul>
Tips
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Brackets are automatically completed as you type</li>
<li>History is scrollable and expressions can be recalled</li>
<li>Click the DP button or use Ctrl + number to set decimal places</li>
<li>Toggle between degrees/radians for trigonometry</li>
<li>Unicode symbols can be typed directly or using text equivalents</li>
</ul>
Video Demonstration:
<div class="responsive-embed"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Demonstration of Scientific Calc for AAC" width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OEcNT14uyIY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

AAC Based Scientific Calculator

You Matter is a remarkable training course for teachers, teaching assistants and therapists that brings together parents of children with significant speech difficulties and their supporting professionals.
<blockquote>A brilliant course! Should be available to all parents, carers and teaching assistants involved with AAC
<footer class="citation"><cite>Course participant</cite></footer>
</blockquote>
You Matter has now been been fully updated with new case study material.
For children with significant speech difficulties, it’s the parents who can hold the key to developing effective communication for their child, if they are provided with the appropriate support.
The You Matter course brings together families and professionals on an equal footing in order to provide practical and positive ways forward for the children’s AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) needs. It gives families the tools and the support needed to set their own goals, solve their own difficulties and become active decision-makers in supporting their own child’s communication.
Developed by therapists across three counties, You Matter provides an opportunity for professionals to learn from other disciplines, and gives families the platform to share practical experiences for the benefit of all involved.
<a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter/you-matter-course-summary/">Download course summary</a>
The course requires the minimum of preparation. All of the materials and handouts are provided, including Powerpoint presentations, feedback forms and video resources.
Why the course matters:
<ul>
<li>Empowers parents 
You Matter gives parents the skills and the understanding to effectively take ownership of aspects of their child’s communication, to be an equal and informed partner in the care of their child and to be able to set realistic short term and long term goals for their child</li>
<li>Supports the important SEND reform principle of family and child-centred working (Children and Families Bill 2014), where the aspirations of the family and child are clearly heard and reflected in the long and short term goals within Education, Health and Care Plans. You Matter helps parents and professionals to set realistic goals based on knowledge of their child’s aided communication stage, the specific strategies that are required to support their child and planning how this support can be delivered in partnership with professionals. Co-production is at the heart of planning and parents are able to contribute confidently with the knowledge and skills they gain from this course</li>
</ul>
<h2>What&#8217;s in the course?</h2>
You Matter is divided into eight short sessions to be run flexibly, for example, over two full days or four morning, afternoon or evening sessions.
<h3>Session One</h3>
The first session aims to introduce participants, draw out their hopes and concerns, recognise the pressures they may be under and explore their expectations of the course. Overall aims for the course will be agreed during this session, matching what the participants want to gain with the information provided within the course content.
<h3>Sessions Two and Three</h3>
These sessions look at facilitating communication through aided systems. This is done by considering:
<ul>
<li>What is meant by communication</li>
<li>The five stages of communication development using aided systems</li>
<li>How to select vocabulary at the right level for a child</li>
<li>How participants’ communication affects the child’s progress</li>
<li>How participants’ communication will change as the child gains skills.</li>
</ul>
After the first three sessions, participants can be offered the opportunity to be videoed at home or in school with their child. The aim is to help participants to review their own style of interaction as well as express privately any concerns they may have about their child using aided communication.
<h3>Session Four</h3>
Session Four reviews the video experience and looks at involving others in the child’s communication system. It includes:
<ul>
<li>The difficulties faced by children using aided communication when learning to communicate through their system.</li>
<li>The different types of communication we all use.</li>
<li>How the participants’ role changes as the child gains skill.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sessions Five, Six and Seven</h3>
These sessions bring in feedback from the video sessions, looking at where perceived communication problems lie, and address areas the participants choose to focus on. Session Seven finishes by discovering participants’ longer term aims for their child’s communication and looks at setting achievable goals for the future.
<h3>Session Eight</h3>
The final session is an additional half day which looks at each child’s personal aided communication system. Participants need to bring in their child’s system and either the appropriate communication aid supplier or someone who is familiar with the different systems needs to be available. It’s a session for participants to gain confidence with the programming of the systems, and/or the creation of pages or other low tech materials. A variety of activities are included during the course for participants to investigate some of the issues through working together in small groups.
<h2>How the course was developed</h2>
The course is the outcome of the You Matter project which was carried out as part of the Becta Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Innovative Projects funding stream.
The project aimed to highlight the importance of providing training for parents and closely-involved professionals in supporting a child using aided communication. There were two very different models of training courses, each offering contrasting perspectives on how parent-directed training could be successfully delivered.
As a result, the project has developed a range of ideas for putting training into practice leading to the same desired outcomes for parents, professionals and ultimately the child. During the training, all those taking part were asked to provide extensive feedback to inform this structure of the course. In addition, opportunites for in-depth discussion were provided during workshops which followed the delivery of the courses. These workshops included managers of services as well several lead/highly specialist speech and language therapists who had been delivering.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/matter-education-edition">See the Education Edition of You Matter here</a></li>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter-education-pack">See the Education Edition Participant Pack of You Matter here</a></li>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter">See the Family Edition of You Matter here</a></li>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter-pack">See the Family Edition Participant Pack of You Matter here</a></li>
</ul>

You Matter - Family Edition

Full You Matter Bundle &#8211; this includes:
<ul>
<li>1x Tutor Guide, resource pack &amp; digital delivery of course content</li>
<li>10 x Your Guide &amp; resource pack for participants</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter-pack/">Additional packs available here</a>

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