The document describes the AAC Self-Assessment Tool-Kit, which is designed to help schools assess their use of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology. The tool-kit has four strands: 1) an observation schedule to track AAC use, 2) criteria to assess students' eligibility for AAC, 3) a form to evaluate staff training and experience, and 4) information about various AAC approaches. The overall goal is for schools to identify strengths and needs to better support students who could benefit from AAC.

1. Funded by:
The AAC Self-Assessment Tool-Kit
A project based in Cumbria
Produced by
Communication and Learning Enterprises (CandLE)
Click here
In collaboration with: for CandLE
Helen Dixon Cumbria PCT Website.
James Rennie School Carlisle Symbols:
Mayfield School Whitehaven
George Hastwell School Barrow-In-Furness
Sandside Lodge School Ulverston Click above for Widgit Website.
Sandgate School Kendal
Also thanks to Ulverston Victoria High School
The AAC self-assessment Tool kit is designed for schools to look
at the ways in which they are using Alternative and
Augmentative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology
(AT) within the curriculum as well as for communication. It is
entirely up to the school how they use the kit but there are
several suggestions on the next page:
Enter here

2. Funded by:
Click here
for CandLE
Website.
The AAC Self-Assessment Tool-Kit
There are four strands to the AAC self-assessment Tool-Kit:
Strand 1: Observation Schedule: This is a tick sheet that you can
use in lesson observations. The idea is to tick off each time the
use of a particular type of AAC is initiated. You can alternatively
choose to use the tick sheet to mark off the type of AAC you see
used at time intervals. For example, every 15 minutes, during the
observation. You can choose this link to go to the observation
schedule information:
class observation
Strand 2: Individual Assessment Eligibility Criteria: This is an
excel document that allows you to assess the likelihood that an
AAC strategy would be useful to an individual student. This link
will take you to assessment criteria information:
Assessment criteria
Strand3: Training and Experience: This is a form for individual
staff members to fill in describing their current skills and the skills
that they would like to acquire. Choose this link for more
information: Training and experience
Strand 4: Information Exchange: The AAC self-assessment Tool-kit
offers a series of pages giving information about various aspects
of AAC and AT. Select this link for more information:
Information Exchange

3. Funded by:
Click here
for CandLE
Website.
The AAC Self-Assessment Tool-Kit
Strand 1: Observation Schedule.
To use the observation schedule you print a copy off for each
class observation and simply use tally marks to indicate the
number of initiations you see of any of the AAC indicated. You
can then enter the totals onto an excel sheet to develop a
graph of your current AAC use.
You can look at worked examples by choosing this link:
Worked examples
You can download the observation schedule here:
Observation Schedule
You can download the Excel observation results analysis sheets
here:
Excel analysis
We hope to gather more data on the use of AAC and AT in
schools. If you use the excel analysis sheet please could you
email a copy to us at: info@candleaac.com

4. Example of a filled
out page in the
observation
schedule.
Example of the above sheet entered as data on the excel analysis sheet:
This graph is automatically generated:

5. Funded by:
Click here
for CandLE
Website.
The AAC Self-Assessment Tool-Kit
Strand 2: AAC assessment criteria.
This is an excel document that enables you to consider the
strengths and needs of student’s individually. The skills that
are rated on the spreadsheet move through from early, pre-
cause and effect through to initiation, choice making and
so on. You can see some sample worked examples by
choosing this link:
Worked examples
You can download the AAC assessment criteria spreadsheet
at this link:
AAC assessment criteria.

6. This is a partially filled out spreadsheet. Scores like this
indicate that the student would benefit from the use of AAC
to support them in developing (or expressing) cause and
effect skills.
See another example by choosing the following link:
Worked examples

7. This is a partially filled out spreadsheet. Scores like this
indicate that the student would benefit from the use of AAC
to support them in developing (or expressing) choice making.
Worked examples

8. The scores on this partially completed spreadsheet indicate
that the student would benefit from the use of AAC to
support them in developing (or expressing) language. An
assessment to see if a communication aid would be helpful is
indicated.
For more support around the use of this
tool contact CandLE at
info@candleaac.com

9. Funded by:
Click here
for CandLE
Website.
The AAC Self-Assessment Tool-Kit
Strand 3: Training and Experience.
This strand aims to enable schools to assess the training and
experience that they currently have and to identify any gaps. It
may support schools to think about existing resources that they
can utilise. The tool comprises of three pages containing a set of
skills useful for supporting students to use AAC. These are
organised into word tables. The first page is for indicating
existing training. The second page is for indicating existing
experience and the third page is for indicating training that is
needed. The forms can be filled out by senior managers on a
whole school basis. This would entail indicating the number of
staff who have the relevant training and/or experience or who
would benefit from it. Most schools, however, find it more
useful to distribute the document amongst their whole staff
team so that each member of staff evaluates their own training
and experience strengths and needs. This link will download the
tool:
Training and experience

10. Funded by:
Click here
for CandLE
Website.
The AAC Self-Assessment Tool-Kit
Strand 4: Information Exchange.
The information exchange is the place to find out about all
aspects of AAC with signposting to where you can go to discover
more about specific approaches, where to obtain resources and
who to go to for help and information.
The AAC self-assessment Tool-kit is a dynamic, working
document and CandLE is activity seeking participation from other
sources to continually improve the Tool-kit. If you think there is
an omission or you think any of the information could be better
presented please let us know. Also, if you know of any new
innovations in AAC that should be included we really want to
hear from you. You can either email us at info@candleaac.com or
fill in the feedback form at xxxxxxxxxxx.
This strand is deliberately designed to be operated in a similar
way to a high tech communication aid. This means that as you
navigate through the information you are also having a similar
experience to that of an AAC user.. Choose the following link to
go to information exchange:
Information exchange