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Project: How Long Does It take?

Purpose:

To make a case for AAC training and support for people who rely on AAC, by making a short movie of interviews with successful AAC communicators, who will tell us how much and what type of input and support they had that facilitated their success. Developers of AAC Systems, and key experts in the field will also offer their opinions.

Scenarios:

The movie will be shot in various locations, according to mutual convenience.

Supporting evidence:

Scott Barbour had to go to college and study LLL (the same communication system that Michael uses) for two years before he was given his Delta Talker (Communication Matters Journal). Toby Hewson had specialist training for 2-3 hours a day (Presentation delivered at the 1 Voice conference, Blackpool, December 2005). Dawn Seals, with the help of a barrister from London, persuaded her LEA to contract Judy Robertson for *** hours per day/week (Speaking with Dawn at CM Symposium, Leicester, September 2005). Panton (is that Liz from Communicate?) 1989 states that it took 200 tutored hours with a specialist SLT, and not counting any time he spent practicing the system alone, for a cognitively sound and language intact adult to learn LLL well enough to participate effectiviely in conversation. Tony Jones, author of LLL, and special needs teacher who has taught the system to many children with all levels of ability and disability, reckons between 200 (90 in ideal conditions) hours and eight years (for severely challenged individuals, and those will little or no support).

Michael Reed is 'encouraged' by his un-trained teachers to use his communication aid. 'Come on son, give us a Beethoven's, we know you can do it'. The word 'encouraged' leaps out from the pages of School reports, SENCO reports, Statement, IEPs... Whatever happened to the word 'taught'.

Nine years ago (around 1997) a teacher from his junior school was allowed one training session. Seven years ago (1999) another teacher from the junior school was pulled out at the last minute due to other duties from the next scheduled training session for any of Michael's teachers. Michael then spent his first three and a half years at the senior school, one mile away from the junior site, with a whole set of new teachers, none of whom new anything about the his communication aid.

The next training session that took place for any of Michael's teachers was in November 2004 when three teachers had one of the training sessions that came free with the replacement communication aid Michael got in October 2003. Mum petitioned long and hard for it to take place. Mum was asked to let the teachers have this session to themselves without her? What did they learn? Did they ever start using the device with Michael? and more importantly, are they teaching Michael where the words he needs throughout the day are stored on his aid? (see LAM Data: Home & School)

The second free training session provided by the supplier is to take place on 24 april 2006, and again it is only taking place because Mum has been campaigning. Mum is not invited again.

Who would buy a £7,500 piece of equipment and decide not to accept free training in its use? It hasn't got an ituitive interface and can't be guess-worked like PC applications.

Three further training sessions funded through CAP (who also purchased the communication aid) won't be taking place as all the pratting around and resistence has meant that CAP has ended and funding has ran out.