Planning AAC Device & App Trials: 3 Questions to Ask

In an earlier post, we discussed some of the elements that factor into decision-making about trials for AAC devices and apps. Today, we’re focusing on some of the questions for teams to address in the planning stage.

1. What is the appropriate length for each trial? In some situations, this may be dictated by the funding source, as some of them have specific requirements for how long each trial must run. In other situations, the length of time an AAC learner spends trialing each device/app is at the team’s discretion.
2. How will the individual be taught to use the trial device or app? Having access to it is necessary, but not sufficient. To be fair to the individual and to gather meaningful data, the SGD or app being trialed must first be customized and then taught to the person being evaluated.
3. What data will be collected? Again, the funding agency may have specific requirements for this, so check with them first. Beyond that, consider that the same type of data should be collected for each SGD or app being trialed to allow for an apples-to-apples comparison.

Are there things that your AAC teams do to prepare for SGD and app trials? We’d love to hear about them.