Voice Output Communication Aids

& Students with Autism

Presented by: Ashley Fajkus, Elizabeth Whitaker, &

Macey Evans
What are Voice Output Communication Aids & Why are they
important?
Voice Output Communication Aid(VOCA)s are electronic
communication devices that are used to produce text and
speech for those who are unable or have limited abilities
to do so.

VOCAs are devices that are commonly seen being used by

those with cognitive disabilities that limit their ability
to create speech with their own voices. VOCAs give an
audible voice to those who might not otherwise have the
capabilities to do so on their own.
 What does
a Voice Output
Communication
Aid
look like?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiBrcnztdzQAhXLOiYKHUHpAi4QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fww
w.livingmadeeasy.org.uk%2Fcommunication%2Fvoice-output-communication-aids-1413%2F&bvm=bv.139782543,d.eWE&psig=AFQjCNGG_ZuqJavrFqZM10OUud-
R5tZymw&ust=1481005573978146
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjEg8GrttzQAhXGWSYKHWSnCQ0QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fww
w.livingmadeeasy.org.uk%2Fcommunication%2Fvoice-output-communication-aids-1413%2F&bvm=bv.139782543,d.eWE&psig=AFQjCNGG_ZuqJavrFqZM10OUud-
R5tZymw&ust=1481005573978146
VOCAS Aiding those diagnosed with autism
Our main purpose for this research study was to
create a well rounded opinion on VOCA use by
those who have diagnosed with autism, 16 years
of age and younger.

We hoped that by the completion of the

investigation, implications and uses for VOCAs
in future classrooms of our own could be
determined.
Search Procedures For Discovery
Electronic Databases Results
ERIC
Thirteen articles were reviewed
PsychoINFO
to identify the effectiveness
of voice output communication
Dates of Databases Search aids (VOCAs) when used with
September 13-15, 2016 children 16 years of age and
younger with autism. Of the 13
Years of Articles studies found, 11 were deemed
2000 to 2016 as meeting search criteria for
the investigative study.
Key Terms used in Databases
Voice output communication aid,
voice output communication,
autism, autism in children, autism
spectrum disorders in children,
autism spectrum disorders,
elementary
 Inclusion Criteria
Articles included had to include the following:
Facilitation of a voice output communication aid to at least
one person with a diagnosis of autism
o Voice output communication aid: any device that enables
the user to speak through speech generating technology.
Speech generating technology
communication through the use of voice or picture
modems
grammatical skills, single words,
and the ability to put together full sentences
through the device
Results from Research
Overall, we together found that VOCAs are effective when used for
students with autism and other cognitive, developmental delays. They
are successful for both students with language development problems
as well as students who are non-verbal. There are many programs that
have been developed to pair vocabulary with pictures such as Team Up
with Timo and Proloquo2go. Overall VOCAs give students a voice
they otherwise wouldnt have. It VOCAs are not a one size fits all
type of device as trial and error is key in finding the perfect
match that work best for each student. As a whole, VOCAs are
wonderful devices that are personalized and here to help our
students.
So Why is this important?
Overall, we found that the implementation of VOCAs for student
with autism was incredibly beneficial. In the studies found, as
a whole, VOCAs provided the participants in the studies with a
voice they hadnt had previously.

As future educators, we will have students who will need that

voice that we can provide to them. As special educators, we will
be the ones advocating for our students. By providing VOCAs,
when deemed needed and appropriate, to our students with autism
and other disabilities where their speech is limited, we will
fulfill that advocate title. VOCAs can be used among academic
subjects and daily living for conversation and voice
communication between the student and all who they come into
contact with.