Special Education Services
Plano Independent School District

Minspeak vs. Dynamic Display

Related to the selection of a symbol system is its organization. The organization of symbols is very important because it
establishes how a child locates a particular message, and, consequently, affects the speed (how long it takes) and efficiency
(how many movements are required) to ouput a message. Currently among voice output communication aids (VOCAs), there are
two predominant symbol organizational systems, Minspeak, also known as Semantic Compaction, which is associated with the Prentke-Romich Co. (www.prentrom.com), and Dynamic Display Pictograph technology, which is associated with Sentient
Systems (www.sentient-sys.com). Both are symbol organizational systems used with sophisticated voice output communication
aids (VOCAs) that allow the user to quickly locate the desired message among all the available messages.

In simplest terms, Minspeak uses a single overlay in which a number of picture-covered buttons are located. By pressing a
button or combinations of buttons, the desired message is activated. The pictures themselves are logically selected to act as
cues to remind the user of the underlying message(s). One picture can represent more than one word or concept. For example,
a picture of an apple can represent an apple, food in general, or red objects. If the user wants to say a certain food, then the apple
is selected to represent food, followed by at least one other button to, then, indicate the specific food.

In contrast, dynamic display systems are organized on a hierarchical basis, with each level of pictures increasing in specificity. Pressing a picture-button automatically displays only the set of pictures (i.e. categories or messages) that are under the category
of the previous button. The first level of pictures, therefore, represent the largest themes. Pressing one of these picture-buttons automatically reveals the next logical set of pictures representing items in that theme. In this manner the user navigates down
through automatically-appearing menus until the desired message is found. For example, pressing the picture-button that
represents food may bring up a screen with pictures that represent breakfast foods, snacks, lunch food, etc. Pressing one of
these buttons would then bring up the specific foods in that category.

Today, the differences between Minspeak and DDP have lessened, in particular since the introduction of a device, the
Vanguard by Prentke-Romich Co., that utilizes Minspeak in a DDP format (P. McNairn, personal communication, March 1, 1999).

OTHER RESOURCES:

"Dynamic display pictographic AAC: Tips, tricks and techniques" by Philip R. Lawrence at www.closingthegap.com/cgi-bin/lib/libDsply.pl?a=1008&b=3.

"Frequently Asked Questions about Minspeak" by Robert V. Conti, B.A., Jeffrey Micher, B.A., and Gail VanTatenhove, MS, CCC-SLP at www.lti.cs.cmu.edu/scs/faq.html.

"Semantic Compaction in Both Static and Dynamic Environments: A New Synthesis" by Russell Thomas Cross, B.Sc.(Hons), MRCLST, Bruce R. Baker, A.M., Linda Valot Klotz, M.A., CCC-SLP, and Arlene Luberoff Badman, M.A., CCC-SLP at www.jsrd.or.jp/dinf_us/csun_98/csun98_064.htm.

Ask AAC users themselves on Augmentative Communication On-Line Users Group (ACOLUG) listserv at www.temple.edu/inst_disabilities/ ACOLUG/tacolug.html.

"Minspeak Operator Home Pages" at the bottom of "Links" by Prentke-Romich Co. at www.prentrom.com/links/links.html

For additional information: YAACK

Permission granted 4-28-03

 

 

 

 

Plano Independent School District
Department of Special Education Services
2700 W. 15th Street
Plano, Texas 75075-7543
469-752-8240