Kent Communication & Assistive Technology Service The Old Railway School Wainwright Place Newtown Ashford Kent TN24 0PF Tel: 01233 629859 Fax: 01233 639516
Kent and Medway Communication and Assistive Technology Service (KM CAT)

Glossary of Terms:

AAC	Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Access	The method used by the a user to interact with a communication aid, for example eye gaze, switches or direct access (using a finger to activate the screen).
AT	Assistive Technology – equipment and software designed to give disabled people greater control and independence
CAT	Communication and Assistive Technology
Core and fringe vocabulary	Core – a group of words, including ‘I’ ‘more’ ‘go’ ‘help’, which are used frequently and across different contexts. Fringe – vocabulary that is more specific to a topic, individual or environment.
CYP	Child/Young Person
DOB	Date of Birth
EHCP	Education, Health and Care Plan
E Tran	Eye Transfer frame. This is used for a student to eye point to a choice of symbols.
GMFCS	Gross Motor Function Classification System
High- tech	High tech AAC systems require power to function and produce spoken or text output.
Integrated system	Combined control of all an individual’s AT devices, for example allowing them to use the same access method to operate communication software and to move around.
KCC UPN	Kent County Council Unique Pupil Number
KM CAT	The Kent and Medway Communication and Assistive Technology Service
Light-tech	AAC systems with a power source that are not computer based.
Low- tech	Communication aids that do not require power or a battery to function, for example a communication book.
MACS	Manual Ability Classification System
MCA	Mental Capacity Act
NHSE	National Health Service England
PECS	Picture Exchange Communication System
PODD	Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display
Trans-disciplinary assessment	An assessment carried out by a team from different professional disciplines, to determine the needs of the CYP.
Vocabulary package	Pre-determined starter set of vocabulary items usually programmed into a high-tech communication aid.
VOCA	Voice Output Communication Aid.