PCAS AIMS
any children with physical difficulties, learning difficulties, neurological problems or those with severe communication difficulties need the use of systems which can enhance or replace speech. These systems involve both low tech (books, charts) and high tech (voice-output communication aids) . Efficient switch usage may need to be developed to access communication aids as well as computers and environmental control systems. Through appropriate interdiscipliniary assessment and recomendations of aids and switches the child can then access a fully integrated system which would lead to greater independence.
PCAS as an objective and independent service, offers the following:-
Interdiscipliniary assessment involving educational staff with IT expertise, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and rehabilitation engineers, working in partnership with parents and children.
The Wooden Spoon Library of Communication Aids, consisting of a wide range of communication aids for the purposes of assessment and short term loan. In order that the most appropriate communication aid can be recommended, the child needs to be assessed using the aid over a short term period, 4-6 weeks. This is crucial if the most effective and appropriate communication aid is to be purchased. Many of the aids are very expensive and it would therefore be cost effective to assess the use of the aid over this trial period, rather than make an inappropriate purchase leading to a redundant aid. During the assessment period, any problem in programming or accessing the aid could be raised and hopefully solved, for the benefit of the child concerned.
A Resource Service running training days on augmentative communication systems, current software available, symbol systems etc., for teachers, nursery nurses, therapists, parents and children.
Bristol is well suited for such a service as it is easily accessible from many areas of the country. Claremont School is the most appropriate setting as an interdiscipliniary approach already exists and it is a special school catering for primary aged children with physical disabilities.
The positive benefits which could be acheived for each child accessing this service are many, and are highlighted below.
1. The promotion of greater independence.
2. More effective interaction with their environment.
3. Greater access to the National Curriculum, using voice-output communication aids and computers.
4. Dissemination of information to parents, children, schools and therapists.
5. The provision of a short-term loan system for communication aids.
6. A unified Service to meet the individual child's needs.
Referral Procedure
PCAS is based at Claremont School and all referrals must be sent to that address ( see Home page ). In all cases the parents/carers consent must be obtained and the child's paediatrician and speech and language therapist informed of the referral. The referral can only proceed when funding for the assessment has been agreed.
There are 4 levels of assessment offered:
Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4: The child's paediatrician and educational psychologist will be invited to this full interdiscipliniary assessment to provide a more holistic approach.
For all levels, a report with the agreed recomendations will be written and circulated to all concerned.
The referral should include the following A standard PCAS questionaire will need to be completed before referral can be accepted. (This can be printed off from this web site.)
On receipt of the completed questionaire, the referrer will be informed of an assessment date. This will be on a Tuesday afternoon or a Wednesday at Claremont School, in some cases children can be assessed within their own school environment. The referrer will be responsible for informing those involved with the child. It is hoped that the following will be able to attend with the speech and language therapist:
The following means may be used to determine the future AAC (altenative and augmentative communication) needs of the child.
For all level of assessments, it will usually be possible to loan a voice-output communication aid for a 4-6 week assessment period. As well as recomending a communication aid, further advice may be given concerning the following:
After the assessment a report with the agreed recomendations will be written and circulated to all concerned.
Level 3 and 4
To review the child's progress, the speech and language therapist from PCAS will arrange to visit the child in his/her school approximately one month after the assessment and then a second visit approximately 3 months after the assessment. Continued liasion between PCAS and the local team should be encouraged during this 3 month period, to review the progress of the clild's communication skills.
We offer assesment and advice from specialist speech and language therapist on Augmentative & Alternative Communication System (AAC).
As level 1 with the addition of assessment and advice from either IT support worker or occupational therapist.
As level 2 with the additional review visits. The speech and language therapist from the assessment team will arrange to visit the child in his/her school approximately 3 months after the assessment, and then a second visit approximately 6 months after the assessment. Continued liason between the speech and language therapists should be encouraged during this 6 month period, to review the progress of the child's communication skills.
Full interdiscipliniary assessment and review procedure. The full assessment team involves the following: