Adeli goes AAC - work in progress

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in its original meaning pursues the goal of building bridges. A seemingly insurmountable gap in communication is bridged through the use of alternative forms of communication. Many people have no or insufficient verbal language. AAC helps to overcome these barriers by using symbols (pictures), electronic and non-electronic aids. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a scientific field where there is still much research to be done. At ADELI Medical Center , we ADELI Medical Center put it into practice.

Traditionally, communication with clients has been the domain of speech therapy. Clinical speech therapists are always striving to better communicate with patients and develop their communicative skills. Now we would like to go one step further.

AAC/UK is to be ADELI Medical Center throughout ADELI Medical Center . This requires a great deal of commitment from all employees and an equally great willingness on the part of our patients to embrace new things. Of course, a client's communication is very individual, and much depends on their perception of the new environment/therapy. In an initial consultation at the beginning of the stay, we would like to work with patients to find out what needs to be done to make UK/AAC ADELI Medical Center successful during their time at ADELI Medical Center . In close cooperation with speech therapists, communication options will then be designed in such a way that they really help patients to better express their thoughts and needs, as well as their emotions.

We have agreed to use the Metacom symbol language (©️Metacom Anette Kitzinger) in our facility. These symbols are to be implemented throughout ADELI Medical Center visual aids. Many of our patients are already familiar with Metacom from home or school. It therefore makes sense to continue using these symbols.

Throughout the building, visual concepts are to be offered that provide orientation (guidance system) on the one hand, but also communication panels for interactive communication on the other.

Of course, using symbols alone is not enough. Adeli goes a step further here. With the Metacom symbols, it is possible to form complete, grammatically correct sentences. But this requires the electronic form of communication using tablets and computers. These are gradually being adapted and adapted to the needs of the patients or to the forms of therapy.

ADELI Medical Center realize our passion project, AAK/AAC/UK at ADELI Medical Center , we have decided to collaborate with Ms. Petra Zehentner. Ms. Zehentner is a trained communication educator for assisted communication and herself the mother of a child with speech impairment. She heads the Adeli goes AAC project and is responsible for the implementation and realization of assisted communication. Ms. Zehentner will also be available to ADELI guests starting in September 2023. Just ask your assistant or write to info@adelicenter.com.

"You can't not communicate" (Paul Watzlawick).

This sentence stands for itself. Adeli wants to understand, make understandable and translate the clients' communication. It is about building bridges and avoiding misunderstandings that arise from a lack of communication. AAC always strives to improve a person's communication. This will also be Adeli's goal for our patients' stay.

And as far as we know, in ADELI we are the first and only rehabilitation center to implement Metacom symbols to such an extent.

Starting in September 2023, Petra will be available every Monday for consultations and discussions at the ADELI Medical Center.