New Features:
- The Symbol Stix Symbol Library has been updated
- Two new Vocabulary Files have been added
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Communication Journey: Aphasia
“Communication Journey: Aphasia” is a vocabulary file containing features and vocabulary designed to support people with aphasia. It was developed by Lois Turner (SLP), Anne MacCallum (SLP) and Sarah Gauthier (SLP Assistant) in consultation with a group of speech-language pathologists who work exclusively with people with aphasia and brain injuries. All the participants work at CAYA (Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults) and the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The framework of the file was derived from the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia from the Aphasia Institute in Toronto, Canada. The pages were created to facilitate participation in daily activities and to promote social links.
Aphasia, a disorder caused by damage to the parts of the brain where language is stored, may affect the ability to comprehend language, to express oneself, to read, or to spell and write. “Communication Journey: Aphasia” can easily be adapted for use by people with different types of aphasia and a range of cognitive levels and degrees of severity.
Symbols, photographs, visual scenes, videos or words can be used on the message, topic and script pages. Included are pages that facilitate supported communication techniques, self-advocacy, directing care, and repair of communication breakdowns. Types of information typically included in communication books—such as pain and emotion scales, maps, and templates for personal information and life stories—are also incorporated into the vocabulary file. Specialized features include variable “rate of speech” and “pause between words”.Grid size and vocabulary are easily customized to reflect and support the life experiences of the person with aphasia.
Although this vocabulary file contains starting-point vocabulary commonly required by adults with aphasia, it MUST be customized. Each person has a unique history and the file must reflect their lives, experiences and abilities.
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Basic Scan
Basic scan is a primarily phrase based vocabulary for emerging communicators that access communication through auditory and/or visual scanning. Basic Scan was developed by Lisa Nobel Martin, MA, CCC-SLP specifically for the ChatFusion and NOVAchat. Lisa has years’ experience working with nonverbal pediatric patients at all stages of communication. Her focus on teaching auditory and visual scanning techniques to these individual’s has proven quite successful.
The Basic Scan file encompasses various communicative functions (greeting, directing, protesting, commenting, requesting, sharing information). Page navigation is used to support language formulation. In addition, some vocabulary is hidden and can be gradually uncovered to scaffold learning. The Basic Scan file is meant to provide a framework and example of where to begin with an emerging communicator who is using auditory and/or visual scanning as a means to access communication. Basic Scan does not provide access to a comprehensive vocabulary. Specific items within each category can and should be modified to meet the unique needs of individuals.
Chat 2.4.0 Update addresses:
- NOVA chat 8.25N**** (Android 5 Dedicated) Camera Problem
- Sped up the symbol search
- Visual Effects getting shut off when Animate Effects getting shut off
To download the Chat 2.4.0 Software Update, go to Menu>Help>Check for Updates on your device to initiate an automatic update or go to Downloads from this website, choose your language and download the appropriate Chat Software Update to manually copy to your device.