So you’ve identified scanning as the most appropriate access method for your AAC user. You’ve selected your scanning type, and connected your switches. Now it’s time to use the device! Unlike other access methods, scanning requires explicit instruction in the method itself—essentially, teaching the user how to scan. Knowing where or how to start teaching scanning can be tricky; we are here to help!

Teaching Switch Activation🔗

If your user is new to scanning, start by having them practice selecting an onscreen option by activating a switch. This can and should be fun! One option is to create a page with two to four icons that motivates the user to select them:

• Use real images of toys! When the user selects a toy, you respond by playing with the toy.
• Try out a few audio clips of songs that the user enjoys. When they select an icon, their favorite song plays!

Using just a few icons to start helps the user focus on learning the switch without feeling overwhelmed. Of course, this practice page is not a substitute for a robust vocabulary. Once the user gets the hang of switch activation, move to the intended vocabulary as quickly as possible.

Switch activation practice can occur outside of a speech app too! You can practice with switch activated toys, buttons with pre-programmed messages, or environmental control tools like the PowerLink. Again, these activities are not substitutes for a robust communication system, but they are a fun introduction!

If you’d like support coming up with ways for your switch user to learn and practice the switch activation motor plan reach out to our SLP Empowerment Team.

Assisted Scanning🔗

For young users, you can also start with assisted scanning. To use an assisted scanning method, you will configure two switches: a step switch for moving through options and another switch for selecting an icon. However, rather than the user operating both switches, you as the communication partner operate the step switch to move through the icons. This allows the user to focus on only operating the selecting switch at first.

If the goal is for the user to do one switch automatic scanning, starting with assisted scanning allows the user to fine tune the motor movements needed to activate the switch before introducing the timing interval. It allows you to set the timing of the option scan, giving the user more time to decide if they want to select an option or not. Eventually, the user will graduate to the timing interval, but this is a great way to start.

If the goal is that the AAC user will use a two switch step scan independently, starting with assisted scanning decreases some of the mental load. They familiarize themselves with scanning as an access method and can take over the step switch themselves later on.

Modeling the Scanning Method🔗

Modeling scanning can often feel a bit awkward, especially if you’re modeling a word that is towards the end of the scanning pattern. It can feel like a lot of waiting–that’s okay! Scanning does involve a fair bit of waiting, and it’s important to model that for users too.

To model waiting, start by sharing the word you are “listening” for in the scan.

• For example, if you’re playing with a car and want to model selecting “go,” you could say “I want to tell my car to go. I’m going to start my scan and listen for ‘go!'”

Then, start the scan and narrate as you go through each option.

• Continuing with the car example: “Eat–no, that’s not it! Let’s keep listening. Play–no, that’s not it; I’m listening for ‘go.’ Go–yes, that it! I’m going to hit my switch.”

We Are Here to Help🔗

Introducing scanning can feel daunting at first–our SLP Empowerment team is here to help! The SLP Empowerment Team is composed of speech-language pathologists who are dedicated to supporting you, the family, and the device user. From selecting switches to your first scanning session, the SLP Empowerment Team will help you with your questions, big or small, using our incident-based support model.

Learn more about the SLP Empowerment team and book a meeting!

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