UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF THE MANY PERSONALITIES OF MACAW...IDENTIFYING PERSONALITIES AND MANAGING YOUR INTERNAL HARD DISC DRIVE

Barbara K. Palin
ZYGO Industries, Inc.
1325 Imola West, #313
Napa, CA 94559
707-258-2690
707-258-2690 fax
bkpalin@aol.com

Cynthia K. Spitler
ZYGO Industries, Inc.
115 E. Vista Del Cerro
Tempe, AZ 85281
602-858-0587
602-966-3850 fax
ckspitler@aol.com

Web Posted on: December 12, 1997

Summary

This session will demonstrate organizational strategies for maximizing a level based communication system. Indexing techniques will illustrate more efficient device management for clinicians, teachers and users.

Abstract

The ZYGO MACAW is a dedicated communication aid. It is a level based system utilizing static display, multiple input and digital output. As the MACAW family has grown, so has the need for increased creativity in organizing and managing vocabulary and the corresponding graphical representation.

Each new generation of MACAW introduces increased memory (or recording time): the devices offer a range of 64 seconds to over 13 hours of total memory. This tremendous amount of memory makes it possible to develop literally hundreds of overlays and store the corresponding vocabulary in the device for easy access. As you can see, it now becomes essential to have an organized system for storage and retrieval of vocabulary.

This presentation will illustrate an indexing system customized for clinical practice, clinical evaluation, classroom, and for individual users. A master index identifying all personalities and levels allows for easy navigation through any level based system.

For the purpose of this manuscript, and in order to enhance the readers' comprehension of jargon associated with this device the following terms and definitions are given:

Overlay - a hard copy graphical representation of vocabulary, individualized for the user and placed on the MACAW as each communication situation dictates; i.e.: the set of pictures.

Levels - an internal system of organization specific to the MACAW; one overlay is stored in each level. The MACAW II and GREEN MACAWS store 8 levels; the MACAW 3 stores 32 levels; the BIG BLUE stores up to 1056 levels and the GREAT GREEN MACAWS store up to 328 levels. Levels are stored under the message keys.

Graphical Representation - a single term used to define pictures, drawings, symbols, objects, words, or letters used on the overlay. The graphical representation could be in color or black & white depending upon the user.

Personality - an internal system of organization specific to the BIG BLUE and GREAT GREEN MACAWS which have internal hard disc drives. A personality is the entire characteristic content of its working memory at any one time. It contains all the recorded vocabulary (messages) and parameter settings, including levels, user-accessible keys that have been activated, key pattern, scan modes and their settings, etc. One personality is equivalent to one 19 minute MACAW with 32 levels. The personality in use is stored in the MemCard. Changing the MemCard changes the MACAW's personality. Personalities are stored under the message keys the same as levels.

Navigation - a term used to define changing from one level (overlay) to another or one personality (Macaw) to another.

It is important to evaluate the situation before considering the type of indexing system needed. The following questions will help clearly define the context in which the Macaw will be used and the appropriate indexing system to implement.

• 1. Is the Macaw used by a therapist in a clinical practice setting?
• 2. Is the Macaw used by a therapist in a clinical evaluation setting?
• 3. Is the Macaw used by a teacher in a classroom setting?
• 4. Is the Macaw used by an individual who will be changing levels and overlays independently?
• 5. Is the Macaw use by an individual who will need assistance in changing levels and overlays?

The indexing system described by the authors consists of one index overlay which remains on the device at all times. This overlay may be printed on paper or on a clear transparency. The authors have identified four primary indexing systems based on the above situations. They are described as follows:

Index system for a clinical evaluation setting: This indexing system is presented on a Great Green Macaw, 128 location. The personalities are organized by any or all of the following criteria: client diagnosis, client ages, Macaw features (scanning), key patterns, topics, symbol systems, language (English vs. Spanish) or vocabulary (word based vs. sentence based). The levels within each of the personalities are organized by topic, key pattern and/or client ages.

Example #1: You are evaluating an adult who has had a stroke and is unable to direct select. He/she can manage 32 pictures and is capable of spelling parts of some words. You would have a personality set up for a particular scanning pattern. The levels within that personality would contain 32 location overlays organized again by topic and to include an alphabet board. You could also have a personality set up for adult stroke patients. The levels within that personality would contain language organized by topic and key patterns. The scanning pattern could be set as needed.

Example #2: You are evaluating a 6 year old cerebral palsy child who can direct select from a field of eight picture choices on a picture board and loves to play "hide and seek". You would have a personality set up for children's games. The levels within that personality would contain different types of games with a variety of key patterns. "Hide and Seek" would be one of the games.

Index system for a clinical practice setting: This indexing system is presented on a Big Blue Macaw, 32 location. The personalities are organized by user. The levels within each of the personalities are organized by topic, key pattern and vocabulary (word based vs. sentence based).

Example #1: You are a speech pathologist with 3 clients who are currently using low tech. alternative communication mediums and are waiting for an AAC evaluation for an augmentative communication device. You would have a personality set up for each of these individuals. The levels within each personality would be organized by topic and/or vocabulary (word based vs. sentence based).

Index system for a classroom setting: This indexing system is presented on a Macaw 3, 32 location. There are no personalities in the Macaw 3 series. The levels are organized by user, topic, key pattern and/or vocabulary (word based vs. sentence based).

Example #1: You are a classroom teacher of 10 non-verbal high school students. Only one of the students is using an augmentative communication device, the rest are using velcro picture communication boards. Your students are divided into two groups and rotate through various work stations throughout the day. The levels in your Macaw are organized by broad topic areas corresponding to the work stations. vocabulary is not user specific, however it represents general language needed during each work station.

Index system for an individual user: This indexing system is presented on a Macaw 3, 8 location ( or Macaw II series may be used). There are no personalities in the Macaw 3 series. The levels are organized by topic and/or vocabulary (word based vs. sentence based). The index and overlays are color coded and a page turning system for changing the overlays will be demonstrated.

Example #1: The user is school aged and fully included in a typical classroom. He/she has an understanding of overlays and is able to locate them independently. This user is also capable of using the select level feature for changing levels independently. The index is in an 8 key pattern with each key a different background color to represent the overlay. The overlay background colors correspond to represent the keys on the index. Using the select level key, the user selects a color (topic) and then finds the overlay which matches that color (topic).

These examples will be demonstrated and handouts representing each example will be given. Please contact the author's if you would like a handout.