Course Title: Communicate using augmentative and alternative communication strategies
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: VE 2022
Class Number: 2049
Class Section: SJG3
For flexible terms and optional semesters, a Part B course guide may have been published for the entire teaching period, or for the specific class number in which you are enrolled. If there is no Part B course guide published for your specific class number, please refer to the guide for the teaching period in which you are enrolled. Enrolment Online is the definitive source for details regarding your class enrolment.
Course Code: HWSS6118C
Course Title: Communicate using augmentative and alternative communication strategies
Important Information:
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
School: 535T Social Care and Health
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4365 - Certificate IV in Disability
Course Contact: Clare McGlone
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 7929
Course Contact Email: clare.mcglone@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
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.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
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
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCDIS004 Communicate using augmentative and alternative communication strategies |
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Element: |
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 |
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Performance Criteria: |
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 |
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Element: |
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 |
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Performance Criteria: |
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 |
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Element: |
3. Implement AAC strategy
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Performance Criteria: |
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 |
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Element: |
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 |
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Performance Criteria: |
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.
Details of Learning Activities
Classes where information is shared through talks and group discussions, and exercises are conducted to apply learning. Time in class, will also be spent working on applied assessment tasks.
Teaching Schedule
Workshop title |
Unit/s |
Explanatory notes |
|
8 - 12 Communication, skills development and behaviour support. |
CHCDIS004 Communicate using augmentative and alternative communication strategies CHCDIS009 Facilitate ongoing skills development using a person centred approach CHCDIS002 Follow established person centred behaviour supports |
Communication and skills development will happen at home, in the community and at our services. We begin this Cluster by defining "communication" and considering the ways in which humans communicate effectively. People with disabilities may encounter difficulty in communicating so we look to alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) to ensure we can understand each other. AAC includes commonly used methods which may be adapted for specific needs. Our skills, our strengths, interests and goals enable us to live a full, interesting and empowered life. People we support will often need extra time, structures or opportunities to master those skills. Active person centred support strategies are a valuable and dynamic way to support independence and self- autonomy. This continues the focus on communication but in the context of lifelong skills development maintenance. This links with themes from across your Certificate IV studies looking at how we best support a person to live a life filled with experiences, challenges, opportunities, changes and joy. The third unit in Cluster 4 focuses on person centred behaviour supports. In understanding the reasons and causes of behaviours that concern us and challenge us we begin to understand how to positively address the underlying issues. Using observation tools and methods enables workers to collect accurate evidence through which effective and person-centred behaviour support strategies can be developed. Effective communication enables us to understand what people are saying (however they may be saying it), empowers them to express their preferences, choices and frustrations. It ensures that we can support them to acquire the skills they need to achieve their goals. In turn this enriches their lives and experiences. Increasing the quality of communication leads to improved support to self manage and have a busy life. In turn many behaviours resulting from frustration, boredom will decrease. This workshop concludes Cluster 4 and broadens the context to consider other complex issues that impact on people's lives. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The learning Lab
www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
English for uni workshops
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops
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
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1 Knowledge Questions
Assessment Tsk 2 Supervisor Report
Assessment Task 3 Scenario Simulation Discussion
Assessment Task 4 Case Study
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency.
The assessment matrix is located in Canvas, at the end of each assessment task.
Other Information
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students
Course Overview: Access Course Overview