ACQ Vol 12 No 3 2010

5. Augmentative communication strategies for

adults with acute or chronic medical conditions By Beukelman, D., Garret, K. & Yorkston,

K. (2007). Augmentative communication strategies for adults with acute or chronic medical conditions . Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.;available from www.borders. com.au for $100.95 including postage. This text, including CD-ROM, provides AAC strategies for adults with a range of conditions, such as brainstem impairment, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, severe aphasia, Huntington’s disease, dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and head and neck cancer. It includes assessment and intervention tools. 6. Cue cards in community languages

not working – or if the patient is very hearing impaired and has never acquired hearing aids. The latest model is the Bellman Audio Maxi (digital communication aid). This model has a built-in microphone and headphones. We have tried the earbuds and stethoclip but found the best sound quality is with the headphones. 9. Hearing aid maintenance kit Our allied health assistant has assembled this kit which is handy for emergencies. It contains spare batteries, cleaning brushes, lubricating gel for when a poor seal results in constant feedback, and an airball for drying out a wet earmould.

Transcultural Services at Eastern Health developed these pages of images with words in English and 62 other languages. They can be handy when an interpreter is not available. We have them printed out in the most commonly needed languages. They are free to download in 4x5 cell format or a larger version with 2x2 cells at www.easternhealth.org.au 7. Communication Resource Centre See: http://www.scopevic.org.au/index.php/site/ resources#Communication SCOPES’ Communication Resource Centre has a number of online resources that we regularly use and refer to in our practice. The ‘Easy English writing style guide’ is available online as well as ‘Images for Easy English’ and there are also a number of fact sheets about communication access, AAC, and communicating with people with communication difficulties. 8. Assistive listening devices The Bellman Audio Maxi is available from Word of Mouth Technology www.wom.com.au for $279. We have a good supply of devices, which are invaluable for loaning to patients when their hearing aids are unavailable/

10. Interpreters We are lucky to have interpreters employed by the hospital who speak several of the most commonly spoken languages of our patients. Interpreters for less commonly spoken languages are outsourced to agencies. We try to book as many interpreters as possible for patients at ward rounds and for multidisciplinary assessments, as well as for individual assessment and therapy sessions.

Correspondence to: Kathryn McKinley Speech Pathologist Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Austin Health email: kathryn.mckinley@austin.org.au

149

ACQ Volume 12, Number 3 2010

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au