AAC Assessment Resources from SIG 12

The ASHA Community for SIG 12 has done it again! Provided great resources for AAC-interested SLPs nationwide. If you don't already belong to SIG 12, it is something to consider ($35 annually). The Perspecitves in AAC journal even offers CE units for reading and taking a quiz on the contents ($5 per issue, I believe).

Megan in Oregon asked the Community:
Are there good, inexpensive AAC assessments for preschool and elementary school children that you enjoy using in your community clinic or private practice?
Does anyone have experience with the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Profile?  Is it user friendly, informative, and relevant to lite and high tech?

Nicole Dupre in Houston, TX wrote:

I use the TASP (Test of Aided-Communication Symbol Performance; more info in a previous post HERE), the AAC profile, the Protocol for Metaphoric Use of Pictures and the Communication Matrix. I love them all for different reasons but I think they are all easily administered and applicable to assessing different groups of users. The Protocol for Metaphoric Use of Pictures is on Gail Van Tatenhove's download page (Gail posted THIS DROPBOX LINK because that page of her website is down). The Communication Matrix is a free online tool, HERE (or use it offline - download the 26-page PDF handbook HERE).
 
The TASP and Gail's Protocol are both actual tests to administer student knowledge whereas the other two are inventories completed with the assistance of caregivers (Namita Maunder of Fremont, CA added that the TASP includes a report writing guide). And for students needing additional support I like Ever Move Counts and The Inventory of Functional Communication (LINK to it HERE).

Namita also referred to the AAC Assessment Genie app for the iPad ($9.99; more info in a previous post HERE). Susan Morgan (Lynchburg, VA) commented that some of her learners were distracted by the iPad and so she might have to use low tech assessment tools. 

Susan also added the Functional Communication Profile to the list of assessment options. She also mentioned a test specifically for TBI patients, from her days with an older population, that was available free online (great article on AAC in TBI from ASHA, HERE). She couldn't recall the name of it, but found it to be a helpful guide even with the younger kids.