TACPAC (derived from "tactile approach to communication package") is a sensory communication resource using touch and music to develop

communication skills Communication is commonly defined as the transmission of information. Its precise definition is disputed and there are disagreements about whether unintentional or failed transmissions are included and whether communication not only transmit ...

. It helps those who have

sensory impairment Disability is the experience of any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or have equitable access within a given society. Disabilities may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, ...

or communication difficulties. It can also help those who have tactile defensiveness, learning difficulties,

autism Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing d ...

, Down syndrome, and

dementia Dementia is a syndrome associated with many neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by a general decline in cognitive abilities that affects a person's ability to perform activities of daily living, everyday activities. This typically invo ...

Design

TACPAC uses music that matches the texture of the object for each activity so that those undergoing TACPAC have an aligned experience. Users can employ this to help them communicate. TACPAC comes in the form of a subscription that is accessed on a website and also via an app for phones and tablets. The resources include music tracks, instruction videos, and downloadable/printable record and instruction sheets. Users can play the music tracks without an

internet connection Internet access is a facility or service that provides connectivity for a computer, a computer network, or other network device to the Internet, and for individuals or organizations to access or use applications such as email and the World Wide ...

. Through repetition, a receiver learns to express responses that can be understood: e.g., those manifesting like/dislike; desire/rejection; and know/ignorance. Users can begin to respond to

stimuli A stimulus is something that causes a physiological response. It may refer to: *Stimulation **Stimulus (physiology), something external that influences an activity **Stimulus (psychology), a concept in behaviorism and perception *Stimulus (economi ...

, anticipate activities and relate to the helper. These primal responses that comprise pre-intentional and

affective Affect, in psychology, is the underlying experience of feeling, emotion, attachment, or mood. It encompasses a wide range of emotional states and can be positive (e.g., happiness, joy, excitement) or negative (e.g., sadness, anger, fear, dis ...

communication can be crucial steps toward more clearly defined intentional communication and even

language acquisition Language acquisition is the process by which humans acquire the capacity to perceive and comprehend language. In other words, it is how human beings gain the ability to be aware of language, to understand it, and to produce and use words and s ...

. Special-needs educator Laura Pease writes:

Reception

The number of research projects around TACPAC is growing and it has growing support amongst multi-sensory impairment networks and the UK's

Royal National Institute of Blind People RNIB (formally, the Royal National Institute of Blind People and previously the Royal National Institute for the Blind) is a British charity, founded in 1868, that serves people living with visual impairments. It is regarded as a leader in th ...

References

Bibliography

* * * * - research paper on Tacpac including perspectives of parents, speech and language therapists,

physiotherapist Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare profession, as well as the care provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through patient education, physical intervention, disease preventio ...

occupational therapist Occupational therapists (OTs) are health care professionals specializing in occupational therapy and occupational science. OTs and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) use evidence-based practice, scientific bases and a Holism, holistic perspec ...

s, and

music therapists Music therapy, an allied health profession, "is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music t ...

External links

* {{url, http://tacpac.co.uk Special education Augmentative and alternative communication