Language acquisition through motor planning
Encyclopedia
Language Acquisition Through Motor Planning (LAMP) is an Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) approach designed to give individuals who are non-verbal or have limited verbal abilities a method of independently and spontaneously expressing themselves through the use of a voice output communication device. LAMP was initially developed to give non-verbal individuals with autism
a means of communication but can be adapted to benefit individuals with a variety of disabilities
.
One of the diagnostic criteria of autism is delayed communication skills [1]. It is estimated that between 25% and 61% of individuals with autism will not develop functional speech. [2] While evidence that shows AAC is effective in improving the communication skills of children with autism, there is no consensus on what form of AAC is the most beneficial or how to structure access to vocabulary
through AAC. [3] LAMP is one of the few established treatment protocols for setting up, teaching, and implementing a speech generating device.
LAMP focuses on giving the non-speaking individual independent access to a large vocabulary on a voice output communication device that allows the individual to press keys to hear words spoken by the device. The components of LAMP address the features and vocabulary available on the device as well as the method of teaching communication
while taking into account the individual’s sensory
needs. [4]
The technique continues to evolve based on the successes and challenges of individuals learning communication skills through this method. In 2009, the Center for AAC & Autism was established to train health care professionals, educators, and parent
s as well as provide a forum for sharing information regarding successful implementation of communication devices. [6]
The primary principle of the LAMP approach is that the motor pattern a person uses to say a word on the device must be unique. For motor learning
to occur, each word on the device is activated by a different key or series of keys. This reflects the process used by verbal individuals where each word is formed by a unique series of movements of the mouth. When a motor movement to perform an activity remains constant, after some practice, it can be performed effortlessly. [7] When verbal individuals talk, they don’t have to concentrate on how to make the sounds that make up words, they concentrate on the idea of what they want to convey. This allows the speaker to focus on the topic and flow of the conversation rather than how to produce words. The same principle holds true with an augmentative communication device. If the motor movement required to say a word changes from one activity to another or over the course of an individual’s life as the need for vocabulary grows, the ability to access vocabulary will not become automatic.
Word Based System
In order for a person to be able to generate whatever (s)he wants to say, the AAC system needs to allow access to individual words rather than a collection of phrases. [8] Words can be combined in unlimited ways for expression. Also, children who have problems with auditory processing may have difficulty hearing the individual words in phrases and sentences. [9] A word based voice output device may help the child discriminate words as individual units which he can put together in various ways to create his own utterances. [10]
Also, in spoken language
, words have multiple meanings. One can “turn it on,” “turn it off,” “turn around,” “make a U-turn,” and say, “my turn.” Therefore, the icon system on the voice output device needs to allow for these multiple meanings. When implementing LAMP, the Semantic compaction
symbol system, Unity, is frequently used as it adheres to this principle. [11]
In LAMP, the focus of vocabulary teaching is on core words which are described as those that occur most frequently in speech. Core words are taught in a variety of sensory enriched activities to help the non-verbal individual attach meaning to the words. [12]
Natural Consequences
Particular motor movements are repeated and learned and repeated based on the feedback
received. [13] When an individual communicates on a voice output device, (s)he consistently hears the word or words that matched the motor movement. When there is a communicative partner, the partner is encouraged to provide an animated reaction to the utterance, provide the requested activity/or item, or somehow in some way provide some appropriate response to enhance the meaning of the uttered word.
Readiness to Learn
In order to learn, an individual must be in an arousal state compatible for attending and learning. [14] For individuals with developmental disabilities
, particularly those with autism spectrum disorders, achieving and maintaining this state of “readiness to learn” can be challenging. Sensory techniques to help that individual maintain an optimal level of arousal are incorporated into treatment sessions. Not only do sensory motor activities help to modulate an individual’s level of arousal but they tend to be inherently motivating and enjoyable. [15]
Shared Focus
Vocabulary is taught during activities that are interesting to the device user to encourage their participation and engagement. One needs to value the goal of an activity for there to be an incentive to achieve that goal. Natural, intrinsically motivating activities tend to encourage interactive communication and engagement. [16]
is mostly limited to anecdotal reports but Stuart (2008), implemented LAMP with two children who were deemed to be inappropriate for a voice output device by school-based AAC teams. One subject progressed to being able to communicate spontaneously or with minimal cues 80-100% of trials and emergence of social skills
, and the other subject became verbal after 48 sessions. [17] A case study presented at ASHA in (2008) reviewed the progress on one child with Landau-Kleffner Syndrome
who received a treatment program with LAMP as a component using a Vantage Lite as the voice output device. They reported an increase in MLU
and conversational turn taking. [18]
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
a means of communication but can be adapted to benefit individuals with a variety of disabilities
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
.
One of the diagnostic criteria of autism is delayed communication skills [1]. It is estimated that between 25% and 61% of individuals with autism will not develop functional speech. [2] While evidence that shows AAC is effective in improving the communication skills of children with autism, there is no consensus on what form of AAC is the most beneficial or how to structure access to vocabulary
Vocabulary
A person's vocabulary is the set of words within a language that are familiar to that person. A vocabulary usually develops with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge...
through AAC. [3] LAMP is one of the few established treatment protocols for setting up, teaching, and implementing a speech generating device.
LAMP focuses on giving the non-speaking individual independent access to a large vocabulary on a voice output communication device that allows the individual to press keys to hear words spoken by the device. The components of LAMP address the features and vocabulary available on the device as well as the method of teaching communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
while taking into account the individual’s sensory
Sensory
Sensory may refer to:relating to senses or smellIn biology:* Sensory preference* Sensory system, part of the nervous system of organisms* Sensory neuron, nerve cell responsible for transmitting information about external stimuli...
needs. [4]
History
The Language Acquisition Through Motor Planning (LAMP) treatment approach was developed out of the work of two speech/language pathologists, John Halloran and Mia Emerson. In their clinical interactions with non-verbal individuals with autism, they found that giving individuals with autism access to core words on a speech generating device, teaching those words in sensory rich activities, and accessing each word on the device with a consistent, unique motor pattern provided a means for independent communication. In 2004, the Prentke Romich Company undertook a study, to analyze the techniques used by these individuals and measure outcomes. During the pilot study, participants demonstrated the ability to become proficient with independent use of the words they were taught on a device in just a few sessions. [5]The technique continues to evolve based on the successes and challenges of individuals learning communication skills through this method. In 2009, the Center for AAC & Autism was established to train health care professionals, educators, and parent
Parent
A parent is a caretaker of the offspring in their own species. In humans, a parent is of a child . Children can have one or more parents, but they must have two biological parents. Biological parents consist of the male who sired the child and the female who gave birth to the child...
s as well as provide a forum for sharing information regarding successful implementation of communication devices. [6]
Components of LAMP
Unique Motor PatternsThe primary principle of the LAMP approach is that the motor pattern a person uses to say a word on the device must be unique. For motor learning
Motor learning
Motor learning is a “relatively permanent” change, resulting from practice or a novel experience, in the capability for responding...
to occur, each word on the device is activated by a different key or series of keys. This reflects the process used by verbal individuals where each word is formed by a unique series of movements of the mouth. When a motor movement to perform an activity remains constant, after some practice, it can be performed effortlessly. [7] When verbal individuals talk, they don’t have to concentrate on how to make the sounds that make up words, they concentrate on the idea of what they want to convey. This allows the speaker to focus on the topic and flow of the conversation rather than how to produce words. The same principle holds true with an augmentative communication device. If the motor movement required to say a word changes from one activity to another or over the course of an individual’s life as the need for vocabulary grows, the ability to access vocabulary will not become automatic.
Word Based System
In order for a person to be able to generate whatever (s)he wants to say, the AAC system needs to allow access to individual words rather than a collection of phrases. [8] Words can be combined in unlimited ways for expression. Also, children who have problems with auditory processing may have difficulty hearing the individual words in phrases and sentences. [9] A word based voice output device may help the child discriminate words as individual units which he can put together in various ways to create his own utterances. [10]
Also, in spoken language
Spoken language
Spoken language is a form of human communication in which words derived from a large vocabulary together with a diverse variety of names are uttered through or with the mouth. All words are made up from a limited set of vowels and consonants. The spoken words they make are stringed into...
, words have multiple meanings. One can “turn it on,” “turn it off,” “turn around,” “make a U-turn,” and say, “my turn.” Therefore, the icon system on the voice output device needs to allow for these multiple meanings. When implementing LAMP, the Semantic compaction
Semantic compaction
Semantic compaction also known as iconic encoding or Minspeak, is an Augmentative and alternative communication technique in which sequences of icons are combined in order a word or a phrase from an AAC device in order increase a person's rate of speech.-Conceptual basis:Linguist Bruce Baker was...
symbol system, Unity, is frequently used as it adheres to this principle. [11]
In LAMP, the focus of vocabulary teaching is on core words which are described as those that occur most frequently in speech. Core words are taught in a variety of sensory enriched activities to help the non-verbal individual attach meaning to the words. [12]
Natural Consequences
Particular motor movements are repeated and learned and repeated based on the feedback
Feedback
Feedback describes the situation when output from an event or phenomenon in the past will influence an occurrence or occurrences of the same Feedback describes the situation when output from (or information about the result of) an event or phenomenon in the past will influence an occurrence or...
received. [13] When an individual communicates on a voice output device, (s)he consistently hears the word or words that matched the motor movement. When there is a communicative partner, the partner is encouraged to provide an animated reaction to the utterance, provide the requested activity/or item, or somehow in some way provide some appropriate response to enhance the meaning of the uttered word.
Readiness to Learn
In order to learn, an individual must be in an arousal state compatible for attending and learning. [14] For individuals with developmental disabilities
Developmental disability
Developmental disability is a term used in the United States and Canada to describe lifelong disabilities attributable to mental or physical impairments, manifested prior to age 18. It is not synonymous with "developmental delay" which is often a consequence of a temporary illness or trauma during...
, particularly those with autism spectrum disorders, achieving and maintaining this state of “readiness to learn” can be challenging. Sensory techniques to help that individual maintain an optimal level of arousal are incorporated into treatment sessions. Not only do sensory motor activities help to modulate an individual’s level of arousal but they tend to be inherently motivating and enjoyable. [15]
Shared Focus
Vocabulary is taught during activities that are interesting to the device user to encourage their participation and engagement. One needs to value the goal of an activity for there to be an incentive to achieve that goal. Natural, intrinsically motivating activities tend to encourage interactive communication and engagement. [16]
Effectiveness
The current body of evidenceBody of Evidence
Body of Evidence may refer to:*Body of Evidence: From the case files of Dayle Hinman, television series showcasing the case files of Dayle Hinman on truTV*Body of Evidence , a 1993 erotic drama starring Madonna and Willem Dafoe...
is mostly limited to anecdotal reports but Stuart (2008), implemented LAMP with two children who were deemed to be inappropriate for a voice output device by school-based AAC teams. One subject progressed to being able to communicate spontaneously or with minimal cues 80-100% of trials and emergence of social skills
Social skills
A social skill is any skill facilitating interaction and communication with others. Social rules and relations are created, communicated, and changed in verbal and nonverbal ways. The process of learning such skills is called socialization...
, and the other subject became verbal after 48 sessions. [17] A case study presented at ASHA in (2008) reviewed the progress on one child with Landau-Kleffner Syndrome
Landau-Kleffner syndrome
Landau–Kleffner syndrome , also called infantile acquired aphasia, acquired epileptic aphasia or aphasia with convulsive disorder, is a rare, childhood neurological syndrome....
who received a treatment program with LAMP as a component using a Vantage Lite as the voice output device. They reported an increase in MLU
Mean length of utterance
Mean Length of Utterance is a measure of linguistic productivity in children. It is traditionally calculated by collecting 100 utterances spoken by a child and dividing the number of morphemes by the number of utterances...
and conversational turn taking. [18]