Programme: BAHons Augmentative and Alternative Communication

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Code Faculty
01242132 Faculty of Humanities
Credits Duration
Minimum duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 120
Contact:
Dr E Johnson
[email protected]
+27 (0)124604891

Programme information

This programme is offered over a period of one year through a technology-enhanced mode with a number of meetings on campus.

Students applying for the programme need to have a relevant three-year bachelor's degree to qualify for admission.

All students need to be working in the field of severe disability.

All students need to have consistent email and internet access from the place of their residence.

Closing date for applications: 30 November annually.

Admission requirements

  • Students applying for the programme, need to have a relevant three-year bachelor's degree to qualify for admission.
  • All students need to be working in the field of severe disability.
  • All students need to have consistent email and internet access from the place of their residence.
  • A limited number of students are admitted to this programme. Prospective students must meet the selection criteria.

Minimum credits: 120

Core modules

  • Module content:

    Training of observation skills with the use of an assessment schedule. A practical component is included in this module. At the end of this module the student must be able to understand the process of communication evaluation of people with severe disabilities by describing the assessment principles, as well as the assessment of opportunity and access barriers and of specific capabilities.

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  • Module content:

    Implementation of assistive devices by the communicatively disabled population. At the end of this module the student must be able to understand the different types of assistive communication technology ranging from low to high technology in order to assist clients with little or no functional speech to select the most suitable device.

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  • Module content:

    AAC intervention for the child with severe disabilities will be followed in this module. A practical component is included in this module. At the end of this module the student must be able to describe and implement appropriate AAC strategies for children with a variety of abilities, and integrate AAC implementation within contexts such as adapted play, integrated early intervention- and educational settings.

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  • Module content:

    The module covers planning for data collection, field work, analysing data collected and writing up the results and discussion of the results in the form of a complete research report. On completion of the module, the student will be expected to complete a research report on an approved topic in the field of augmentative and alternative communication.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), definition of AAC, identification and discussion of key issues in AAC implementation and description of candidates who may benefit from AAC; their basic rights to communication, education and to work; as well as Communication for people with severe disabilities and the use of unaided (dynamic and/or manual) and aided (static) systems.  At the end of this module, the student must be able to define concepts in AAC and identify and discuss key issues in AAC implementation and describe candidates who can benefit from AAC, and understand AAC symbol systems and the impact of using them with a person with little or no functional speech.
    A practical component is included.

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The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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