Communication and Technology Centre Tikoteekki

Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FAIDD)

Tikoteekki promotes the best possible communication for people with complex communication needs. Most of the people who have difficulties in either speech reception or expression can benefit from the usage of augmentative and alternative communication methods (AAC methods), communication aids and supportive computer programs.

Problems in either reception or expression can be due to different reasons, and the difficulties can be temporary or permanent. These difficulties can be caused by, for instance, cerebral palsy, developmental disablilities, developmental language disorders, different neurological disorders or brain injuries.

Despite the individual’s difficulties regarding speech, there are a variety of alternative communication methods which can be used to support or substitute oral communication. These include gestures, manual key-word signs and different kinds of graphic signs, such as PCS-symbols, pictograms and Blissymbols. The simpliest communication aid can be a picture board or a word list from where the wanted picture or a word can be pointed out using hands or eyes. Technical devices include, for example, electronic speech devices and computer based communication programs with technical solutions which assists a person to use the equipment (such as buttons and different mouses).

Tikoteekki, founded in 1995, gathers and distributes knowledge concerning AAC methods and the newest technical solutions in communication devices. Tikoteekki also offers training to the teaching, therapy and caretaking professionals.

Additionally, Tikoteekki provides assessment of communicative skills to persons with speech and language impairment. Furthermore, the Centre offers computer usage assessment, which aims to find the best means for the individual to use computer as a tool. The assessments are carried out in a co-operation with the client’s daily contact persons. Tikoteekki Centre in FAIDD co-ordinates also a national network of eleven regional Tikoteekki centres in various parts of Finland.

By means of research and projects the Centre develops client based activity standars in cooperation with professionals, hospitals and universities. Furthermore Tikoteekki participates to the national and international collaboration through projects, networks and conferences.

FAIDD/Tikoteekki is a member of the ISAAC (International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication).