Course Title: Communicate using augmentative and alternative communication strategies

Part A: Course Overview

Program: C4365 Certificate IV in Disability

Course Title: Communicate using augmentative and alternative communication strategies

Portfolio: Vocational Education

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.  

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.  

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.  

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus  


Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.  

This course is delivered and assessed in a cluster with Facilitate ongoing skills development using a person-centred approach (CHCDIS009) and Follow established person-centered behaviour supports (CHCDIS002).


This course can be delivered through the Social Care or the FSSI clusters


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HWSS6118C

City Campus

TAFE

365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Term2 2016,
Term2 2017

Flexible Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HWSS6118C

City Campus

TAFE

365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

VE 2018 (DISH)

HWSS6118C

City Campus

TAFE

375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Face-to-Face or Internet

VE 2020 (SJO2),

VE 2020 (All)

HWSS6118C

City Campus

TAFE

375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Face-to-Face or Internet

VE 2021 (FSSB),

VE 2021 (POS1)

HWSS6118C

City Campus

TAFE

535T Social Care and Health

Face-to-Face or Internet

VE 2022 (SJG3)

Course Contact: Clare McGlone

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 7929

Course Contact Email: clare.mcglone@rmit.edu.au



Course Description

This course describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate with people who have complex communication needs through effective use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) strategies and systems.

AAC refers to methods that replace or supplement speech to address the needs of people whose oral speech skills limit their ability to meet their participation and communication needs.

AAC systems comprise communication aids, symbols, strategies, and techniques and methods that may be aided or unaided.

This course applies to disability support work in a variety of contexts. Work performed requires a range of well developed, person-centred skills where some discretion and judgement is required and workers will take responsibility for their own outputs.

This course is delivered and assessed with:

CHCDIS009 - Facilitate skills development using a person centred approach

CHCDIS002 - Follow established person-centred behaviour supports 

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None



National Competency Codes and Titles

National Element Code & Title:

CHCDIS004 Communicate using augmentative and alternative communication strategies

Elements:

  1. Identify the current communication capacity and needs of the person

1.1 Work in collaboration with the person, family and/or carer and/or relevant other, to identify communication needs

1.2 Use appropriate supports to aid the person s current communication capacity

1.3 Document the outcomes of this process in line with organisation procedures

1.4 Consult with additional people including family and/or carers and/or relevant others as required

1.5 Make appropriate referrals to professionals and other service providers as required in consultation with supervisor

2. Develop effective AAC strategies

2.1 Provide information to relevant professional/s about the person with disability in relation to their likes/dislikes, daily activities and current communication needs

2.2 Develop communication strategies to meet individual needs and level of communication, considering the person s history and preferences and in consultation with relevant senior staff/professionals

2.3 Adjust available tools and programs to address individual needs and preferences

2.4 Seek advice from other staff and relevant others as required and work within scope of practice

3. Implement AAC strategy

 

3.1 Use different strategies and devices in AAC

3.2 Document communication support strategies in the person s individualised plan

3.3 Organise the environment to optimise communication opportunities

3.4 Reinforce communication by timely and appropriate response

3.5 Identify difficulties experienced by the person when communicating and respond to difficulties within own work role and responsibilities

3.6 Refer difficulties outside own role and responsibilities to appropriate person

3.7 Provide practice opportunities and information to the person to maintain consistency in their use of communication strategies and encourage contact with other users or support persons

 

4. Monitor, report and review communication strategies

4.1 Set up and maintain reporting and recording system to assist with monitoring and review

4.2 Review reporting and recordings to monitor success of communication strategies and make changes as required in consultation with senior staff/professionals

4.3 Identify barriers to the effective use of AAC strategies and devices

4.4 Work with other relevant people to overcome the barriers

4.5 Implement any modifications to communication strategies and devices

4.6 Identify opportunities to increase communication vocabulary

4.7 Maintain accurate written records according to established directions and within organisation protocols


Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.  Your capacity to support people with complex communication needs will be further developed through your study.


Overview of Assessment

This course is assessed with the courses CHCDIS009 Facilitate ongoing skills development using a person-centred approach and CHCDIS002 Follow established person-centered behaviour supports.


The assessment tasks are as follows: 

Task 1: Short answer knowledge questions Linking theory and practice

Task 2: Third party (supervisors)report

Task 3: Simulation (Scenario) Case study

Task 4 Product assessment task -Hypothetical Case Study – Prepare a Personal Development Plan