[DYSPHAGIA] ALS patient and AAC options

[Melissa Hall" <edgarcat@isd.net (Melissa Hall)]

I would personally look at trying a high-tech device such as a Dynavox.  The
Dynavox not only is useful for communication but it is very easy to set up
pages with enviornmental controls.  Using X-10 equipment you can easily
control all electrical devices in the patient's home and also access a
phone.  There are only a very few IR capable phone on the market and they
are very expensive so you may be better off going through a computer through
the dynavox.  You can set the computer up as a speaker phone and he can use
the dynavox for computer access.  This also allows him to use email and all
those other fun computer things.  Now if you are not going through medicare
to get equipment funding I would even further suggest not buying the Dynavox
at all but purchasing a tough-book touch screen lap-top computer with a
modem and phone hook-up and then purchasing the Dynavox software to be run
on this computer.  This is actually a less expensive option but Medicare
will not allow it.  If you have any other questions I would be happy to help
if possible.  BTW most of my AAC users are not ALS victems  mostly head
injuries and locked in patients.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Clarke-Goertz, Kim (PAHD)" <kgoertz@pahd.sk.ca>
To: "'Adult Neuro Listserv'" <C-NET_ADULTNEURO@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>;
"'Dysphagia listserv'" <dysphagia@medonline.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 10:11 AM
Subject: [DYSPHAGIA] ALS patient and AAC options


Dear members,

I apologize in advance for posting this to the dysphagia listserv, however,
I know there are SLPs in this group who serve patients with ALS regularly
and it is you who I need some advise from.  So all you devout dysphagia
experts who deal with no AAC can now tune out/delete  :  )

I have been asked by one of our OTs to help with a gentleman in long term
care/nursing home who has ALS.  Apparently he still has some UE
strength/function and uses the telephone as a main contact daily.  He has
occasional visitors but uses mostly the telephone.  So, for that, we are
looking at ordering a remote controlled speakerphone.  He will need
financial assistance for this device, so we will be making application to a
local foundation for monies (we may also ask for other equipment to be
funded, but at the moment I need some assistance determining what other
equipment might be useful for this man - any and all suggestions are
welcome).

My question is this:  what other communication aides/devices/strategies
would you recommend for an individual with ALS; high tech, low tech?  I
realize that AAC is very individualized to each person's needs, however, I
have not had any other cases of ALS/AAC, only ALS/dysphagia.  I know from
past emails that there are some clinicians out there who serve this
population either exclusively or frequently and I would greatly appreciate
some advice if you can spare the time to give it.

I will be happy to provide more details about this gentleman's case as
questions are asked and answered.  I do have an AAC assessment protocol to
follow and will be starting that this week with him, however, due to the
time constraints of this disease I want to do as much as I can for him as
fast as I can.

Thank you in advance for any and all replies.

Kim

Kim Clarke-Goertz CCC-SLP (C)

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