Query: AAC

title: An introduction to the ANAWC
abstract: This paper presents an overview of the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Non AAC Workplace Corpus (ANAWC) (Pickering Bruce, 2009) The corpus is the first resource of its kind that makes it possible to systematically study the typical language patterns of both AAC users and comparable non AAC users in the workplace. We discuss the origin of the corpus and give an account of the methodology used for its collection and transcription. We also introduce several publications that demonstrate the novel qualitative and quantitative findings that can be generated on the basis of the corpora. This kind of research will be crucial to guide future developments in AAC development for workplace applications.

title: Designing interaction, voice, and inclusion in AAC research
abstract: Stream that examined timely issues across augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) framed in terms of designing interaction, designing voice, and designing inclusion. Each is a complex term with multiple meanings; together they represent challenging yet important frontiers of AAC research. The Design Stream was conceived by the four authors, researchers who have been exploring AAC and disability related design throughout their careers, brought together by a shared conviction that designing for communication implies more than ensuring access to words and utterances. Each of these presenters came to AAC from a different background: interaction design, inclusive design, speech science, and social science. The resulting discussion among 24 symposium participants included controversies about the role of technology, tensions about independence and interdependence, and a provocation about taste. The paper concludes by proposing new directions for AAC research: (a) new interdisciplinary research could combine scientific and design research methods, as distant yet complementary as microanalysis and interaction design, (b) new research tools could seed accessible and engaging contextual research into voice within a social model of disability, and (c) new open research networks could support inclusive, international and interdisciplinary research.

title: Effects of Communication Partner Instruction on the Communication of Individuals using AAC: A Meta Analysis
abstract: The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta analysis of the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) partner instruction intervention literature to determine (a) the overall effects of partner interventions on the communication of individuals using AAC, and (b) any possible moderating variables relating to participant, intervention, or outcome characteristics. Seventeen single case experimental design studies (53 participants) met the inclusion criteria and were advanced to the full coding and analysis phase of the investigation. Descriptive analyses and effect size estimations using the Improvement Rate Difference (IRD) metric were conducted. Overall, communication partner interventions were found to be highly effective across a range of participants using AAC, intervention approaches, and outcome measure characteristics, with more evidence available for participants less than 12 years of age, most of whom had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or intellectual/developmental disability. Aided AAC modeling, expectant delay, and open ended question asking were the most frequently targeted communication partner interaction skills. Providing a descriptive overview, instructor modeling, guided practice, and role plays were the most frequently incorporated communication partner intervention activities within the included studies.

title: Bridging the gap from values to actions: a family systems framework for family centered AAC services
abstract: Despite the growing recognition of the importance of family involvement in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention, little guidance exists on how professionals can establish successful collaborative relationships with families. In this paper, we discuss family systems theory and ecological systems theory as a framework to guide family centered AAC practice, review family focused research in AAC, consider how AAC may impact the family system, and provide examples of the clinical implications of using the proposed family systems framework to improve family centered AAC practice.

title: A systematic review of research into aided AAC to increase social communication functions in children with autism spectrum disorder
abstract: Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions have been shown to be effective in supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to communicate, particularly to request preferred items and activities. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effectiveness of AAC interventions in supporting children to produce a broader range of communicative functions and determine the extent to which these interventions have been evaluated beyond immediate effectiveness to address maintenance, generalization, and social validity. A systematic search and application of inclusion criteria yielded 30 interventions that focused on communication functions beyond object requests. In many of the studies, flaws detracted from the certainty of evidence, and maintenance, generalization, and/or social validity were not addressed. Further research is needed to evaluate the extent to which AAC interventions can support children with ASD to communicate using a variety of communication functions, as well as to demonstrate sustained, transferable, and meaningful change.

title: Systematic review of AAC intervention research for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder
abstract: Much of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) research for individuals with autism spectrum disorder has focused on young children. Given that the lives, communication, strengths, and needs of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder are quite different from those of young children, the purpose of the current study was to consolidate current AAC intervention research findings specific to these individuals. A systematic review was conducted to identify and evaluate relevant research. Results indicate that AAC intervention benefits adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. However, more research is urgently needed. Future research focused on supporting communicative functions other than requesting (e.g. social closeness, information transfer) while participating in contexts important to the lives of adolescents and adults may be particularly valuable.

title: Designing AAC Research and Intervention to Improve Outcomes for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs
abstract: There is a rapidly growing body of research that demonstrates the positive effects of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention on the communication of children and adults with complex communication needs. Despite the positive impact of many AAC interventions, however, many individuals with complex communication needs continue to experience serious challenges participating in educational, vocational, healthcare, and community environments. In this paper, we apply the framework proposed by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to illustrate the need to re think AAC intervention to improve outcomes for individuals with complex communication needs, and to foster a new generation of intervention research that will provide a solid foundation for improved services. Specifically, the paper emphasizes the need to take a more holistic view of communication intervention and highlights the following key principles to guide AAC intervention and research: (a) build on the individual's strengths and focus on the integration of skills to maximize communication, (b) focus on the individual's participation in real world contexts, (c) address psychosocial factors as well as skills, and (d) attend to extrinsic environmental factors as well as intrinsic factors related to the individual who requires AAC.

title: Assessment With Children Who Need Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Clinical Decisions of AAC Specialists.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore how speech language pathologists (SLPs) who are augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) specialists approach the assessment process for 2 case studies, 1 child with cerebral palsy and 1 with autism spectrum disorder. The aim of the study was to answer the following questions: (a) How do clinicians with expertise approach the AAC assessment process for children with developmental disabilities? (b) Can any initial hypothesis be drawn about how SLPs approach the assessment of children with motor versus social interactive deficits?  This study used a phenomenological qualitative design. The researchers conducted 2 in depth, semistructured interviews with 8 SLPs who specialized in AAC and self identified as primarily working with children.  Four major themes emerged from the data: area of assessment, method of assessment, evaluation preparation, and parent education. Each major theme contained multiple subthemes and categories within those subthemes.  Participants discussed similar areas of assessment for both cases, indicating that some aspects of AAC assessment are universal. However, the specific aspects of what they were assessing and how they went about assessing them differed between the 2 cases. The results of the current study provide an outline of an assessment protocol for children with complex communication needs.

title: AAC Modeling Intervention Research Review
abstract: A systematic review of research on the effects of interventions that include communication partner modeling of aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) on the language acquisition of individuals with complex communication needs was conducted. Included studies incorporated AAC modeling as a primary component of the intervention, defined as the communication partners (a) modeling aided AAC as they speak and (b) participating in the context of a naturalistic communication interaction. This review used a best evidence approach, including nine single case studies, with 31 participants, and 70 replications, and one quasi experimental randomized group design study, including 63 participants. The results of the review indicated that AAC modeling intervention packages led to meaningful linguistic gains across four areas including (a) pragmatics, marked by increases in communication turns; (b) semantics, marked by receptive and expressive vocabulary increases; (c) syntax, marked by multi symbol turn increases; and (d) morphology, marked by increases in target morphology structures.

title: Early Intervention and AAC: What a Difference 30 Years Makes
abstract: This article provides an overview of early intervention and AAC over the 30 year period since the founding of the journal Augmentative and Alternative Communication in 1985. It discusses the global context for early intervention and addresses issues pertaining to young children from birth to 6 years of age. It provides a narrative review and synthesis of the evidence base in AAC and early intervention. Finally, it provides implications for practice and future research directions.