Angelman Syndrome Communications Page

The most common forms of communications aids used by children with Angelman Syndrome are sign language (Auslan), Makaton (a combination of adapted signs (NOT AUSLAN) and pictures), picture boards which can use photos, pictures (PECS), Boardmaker or Compic and Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.

Speech Pathologists at the 5th Angelman Syndrome Association Conference in Canberra, advised that the younger a child is, when exposed to AAC, the higher the likelihood of success.

Sign Language
Auslan courses are run in capital cities and in rural areas.

Makaton
You can get more information about the Makaton language by clicking on the link or the image:-

Coordinator KAREN BLOOMBERG

Phone: 03 9525 3874
Fax: 03 9525 3874

Email: sciop@ssov.org.au

Address: c/- SCIOP
PO Box 381
ST KILDA
VIC 3182

Western Australia

Coordinator ROBYN HAMILTON

Phone: 08 9301 3779
Fax: 08 9301 3777

Disability Services Commission
PO Box 591
JOONDALUP
WA 6027

National Coordinator Judith Cowley
Phone: 03 6425 7310
Email: sclac@cc.newcastle.edu.au

http://seds.sturt.flinders.edu.au/matthews/makaton/

STATE CONTACT INFORMATION

New South Wales

Andy Smidt
Email : andy@ dartglobal.com.au:
Phone 0414 301855

Queensland

Matthew Wilson
Acting Senior Speech Pathologist
Ipswich North Area Office
Disability Services Queensland
PO Box 876
Ipswich Q. 4305

Ph: 3280 1931 (Mon-Wed)
Ph: 3274 9341 (Th-Fr)

email: mwilson@families.qld.gov.au

South Australia

Brian Matthews
Email: Brian.Matthews@flinders.edu.au

Phone: 08 8201 3448
Fax: 08 82013210

Address: Department of Disability Studies
Sturt Buildings
Flinders University of South Australia
Bedford Park
SA 5042

Tasmania

Coordinator SARA PHILLIPS

Phone: (Tues & Thurs) 03 6230 7600
Fax: 03 6230 7605

Email: resource.south@dchs.tas.gov.au

Disability Services
St John's Avenue
NEW TOWN
TAS 7008

Victoria

1. Photos
Some ideas that you can use include a pocket size photo album with photos of favourite activities such as swimming, horse riding, the favourite drink, the toilet or bathroom. Laminating can be used to protect the photos from being damaged or destroyed.

A routine board with photos to represent each activity being done on a given day could also be set up.

2. Pictures
These could be used in a similar format to the photos. You can get more information by clicking on the links:-

	Contact the Royal Blind Society in your state for more information about courses. Your local school or special education unit may also be able help you. Click on the image to go to the Royal Blind Society of NSW site.
	Sign Language resources can be obtained from Deaf Resources Australia a unit of Australian Communication Exchange at Parramatta. Click on the image to go to the Deaf Resources Australia site.
	Sign Language Courses held in Sydney, Newcastle & Wollongong. Phone: 029824 8332 Mobile: 0405 142024 Email: johnw@ispdr.net.au Click on the image to go to the Hands Can Talk site.
Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association "Advancing Technology for People with Disabilities"	ARATA is an association whose purpose is to serve as a forum for issues in rehabilitation & assistive technology. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the use of assistive technology for people with disabilities. Click on the image to go to the ARATA site.
The Australian Group On Severe Communication Impairment	Members of AGOSCI are from all backgrounds, including communication aid users, advocates and interested persons, therapists, teachers, and rehabilitation engineers. Click on the image to go to the AGOSCI site.

	Ability Research Centre, 600 Victoria Road, RYDE NSW 2112 (02) 9809 7466
	Assistive Technology Service The Spastic Centre Of NSW 189 Allambie Rd Allambie Heights NSW 2100 (02) 9975 8264 Fax: (02) 9451 9215 Email: suepitt@ozemail.com.au State wide ( NSW and ACT ) consultation, resource and teaching / training service for people wanting assistive technology for communication, education, employment and leisure
	Australian manufacturer of Assistive Augmentative Communication Devices. Click on the image to go to the Quantum Technology site.
	Supplier of Augmentative Assistive Communication devices. Click on the image to go to the Regency Park Rehabilitation Engineering site.
	Supplier of Augmentative Assistive Communication devices. Click on the image to go to the Spectronics site.
	Technical Aid To Disabled (TADACT) PO Box 3827 Weston Creek ACT 2611 (02) 6287 4290
	TAD - Technical Aid for the Disabled 227 Morrison Road, RYDE NSW 2112 (02) 9808 2022 Therapeutic Aids on request e.g; Jane Computing software. Click on the image to go to the T.A.D. site.
	TADVIC 9 Wingillie St Mildura VIC 3500 Telephone : (03) 5023 1866
Technical Solutions Australia	Technical Solutions 109 Ferndale Rd Silvan VIC 3795 Telephone : (03) 9737 9000 Australian Manufacturer of switch devices, computer access devices and communication aids. Click on the image to go to the Technical Solutions Australia site.
	Technology Services The Spastic Centre Of NSW 189 Allambie Rd Allambie Heights NSW 2100 Po Box 184 Brookvale NSW 2100 Telephone: (02) 9972 8183 Fax: (02) 9975 1912 Click on the image to go to the Spastic Centre of NSW site.
	ZYGO Australia P.O. Box 190 South Melbourne Victoria 3205 Australia Free Call: 1800 818 353 (Australia only) Phone: (03) 9696 2944 Fax: (03) 9696 1755 Mobile: 018 051 515 Pager: (03) 9625 4047 email: zygoaus@bigpond.net.au Click on the image to go to the Zygo Australia site.

Do2Learn	Excellent site with compic style pictures in 1", 2" and full page format for activities for social stories, routine boards and pocket photo album routines. Click on the image to go to the Do To Learn site.
	Resources Plus 3 Linne Place Hinchinbrook NSW 2168 Ph 8716 7529 Fax 8783 9001 Email: simfab@iprimus.com.au www.resourcesplus.com.au Suppliers of computer image generating software for communication aids and augmentative communication equipment.