scholarly journals Creating a Path for Systematic Investigation of Children With Cortical Visual Impairment Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Jamie B. Boster ◽  
John W. McCarthy ◽  
Kathryn Brown ◽  
Alyson M. Spitzley ◽  
Sarah W. Blackstone
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Frequent Form ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Technology Intervention ◽  
Cortical Visual Impairment ◽  
Theses And Dissertations

Purpose There is limited information about how to support children with cortical visual impairment (CVI) who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). An initial review designed to explore the available evidence was used to outline critical needs in moving research and intervention forward for children who use AAC and have CVI. Method Previous systematic reviews, six databases, and theses and dissertations were systematically searched, along with reviews of the resulting works cited. An initial yield of 575 articles was narrowed to 10, which discussed AAC interventions that included children with CVI. Results Three interventions were technology based, and seven were instructional based. The use of textured microswitches was the most frequent form of technology intervention, with the frequency of switch activations being the most frequently coded outcome. Overall, the studies represent explorations in the area rather than systematic lines of inquiry. Conclusions While evidence shows at least some children with CVI have been included in AAC research to date, the inclusion is more incidental than deliberate. Issues such as clear descriptions of the vision capabilities and needs of participants may have impacted study results.

A Preliminary Study of the Relation of Visual Attention to Stimulus Complexity and Functional Vision in Individuals With Cortical Visual Impairment: Implications for Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Tara V. McCarty ◽  
Dawn J. Sowers ◽  
Sophie J. Wolf ◽  
Krista M. Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Physical Damage ◽  
Visual Channel ◽  
Social Cue ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Cortical Visual Impairment

Purpose Individuals with cortical visual impairment (CVI) can have difficulties with visual processing due to physical damage or atypical structures of visual pathways or visual processing centers in the brain. Many individuals with CVI have concomitant disabilities, including significant communication support needs; these individuals can benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Because much AAC involves a visual channel, implementation of AAC must consider the unique visual processing skills and challenges in CVI. However, little is known empirically about how to best design AAC for individuals with CVI. This study examined processing of visual stimuli in four young adolescents with CVI. Method This study used a within-subjects experimental design that sought to provide an in-depth description of the visual engagement of individuals with CVI when viewing stimuli of various levels of complexity, either with or without a social cue. Results Participants engaged most with the simplest stimuli (relative to the size of those stimuli) and engaged more when a social cue was provided during the task. The level of engagement with more complex stimuli was related to participants' score on the CVI Range, a clinical assessment tool that characterizes level of visual functioning. Conclusions Implications for AAC include considerations for the internal complexity of AAC symbols and the complexity of the arrays created for individuals with CVI. Clinicians working with children with CVI who use AAC should consider the unique features of their visual processing.

scholarly journals Children With Cortical Visual Impairment and Complex Communication Needs: Identifying Gaps Between Needs and Current Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Sarah W. Blackstone ◽  
Fei Luo ◽  
Jesse Canchola ◽  
Krista M. Wilkinson ◽  
Christine Roman-Lantzy
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Symbolic Language ◽  
School Based ◽  
Cortical Visual Impairment ◽  
Development Of Language ◽  
Visually Based

Purpose This scoping study sought to establish a baseline for how well the needs of children with cortical visual impairment (CVI) who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) are currently aligned with the services available to them. CVI is the most common cause of visual impairment in children today, and AAC methods rely heavily on vision. Yet, the prevalence of CVI in children who use AAC methods is not yet known, and there is virtually no research concerning use of AAC with children with CVI. Our overarching goals were to identify barriers and suggest priorities for improving outcomes for these children. Method Surveys were distributed anonymously online to professionals from multiple disciplines in different school-based settings and to parents of children with CVI who use AAC. Results School-based professionals identified many barriers, including a lack of knowledge and skills about CVI and about AAC, limited access to training and experts, and concerns about services being delivered in isolated silos with limited time allotted for interprofessional collaboration and planning. Parent reported that their children ( M age = 11 years) continued to rely predominantly on body-based forms of communication and lacked access to symbolic language, which, in AAC, is primarily visually based. Conclusions The barriers to services identified by school-based professionals indicate a need to develop and disseminate reliable information about CVI and AAC, both at a preservice and in-service level and, while doing so, to respect the diversity of stakeholders who need this information, including parents. Future research on what types of AAC approaches support the development of language and communication skills for children with CVI is essential.

scholarly journals Augmentative and alternative communication: from qualification to speech, language and hearing science clinical practice

Revista CEFAC ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Ciceri Cesa ◽  
Helena Bolli Mota
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Picture Exchange Communication System ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Contemporary Study ◽  
Speech Therapists

ABSTRACT Purpose: to investigate the qualification of the speech language and hearing therapists and their clinical performance with Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Methods: a descriptive, transversal, individual and contemporary study. Data were collected through a questionnaire, filled by twenty-four speech therapists, selected by a convenience sample. Content analysis was chosen for data study. Results: regarding access to the information media, all speech therapists in the sample presented the initiative to supply the absence of language training with Augmentative and Alternative Communication by different means. Regarding the dual focus on intervention, all speech therapists were favorable to this practice. However, according to experience, they reported resistance from the family, school and other therapists. The results showed two different types of introduction implementation and use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication, predominantly formed by strategies contemplating the pragmatic use of language through the contextualization of significant activities for the user. The other way used the Picture Exchange Communication System. Conclusion: the speech-language and hearing therapists in the present study inserted different interlocutors in the intervention, guided by implicit or explicit linguistic principles, by theoretical frameworks specific to the area of Augmentative and Alternative Communication knowledge, by global neuromotor elements and, finally, by principles of functionality and general wellness.

The Effect of Symbol Background Color on the Speed of Locating Targets by Adults Without Disabilities: Implications for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Display Design

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 1482-1488
Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Thistle
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
The Other ◽  
Background Color ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Display Design ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
Research With Children ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Perceptual Factors

Purpose Previous research with children with and without disabilities has demonstrated that visual–perceptual factors can influence the speech of locating a target on an array. Adults without disabilities often facilitate the learning and use of a child's augmentative and alternative communication system. The current research examined how the presence of symbol background color influenced the speed with which adults without disabilities located target line drawings in 2 studies. Method Both studies used a between-subjects design. In the 1st study, 30 adults (ages 18–29 years) located targets in a 16-symbol array. In the 2nd study, 30 adults (ages 18–34 years) located targets in a 60-symbol array. There were 3 conditions in each study: symbol background color, symbol background white with a black border, and symbol background white with a color border. Results In the 1st study, reaction times across groups were not significantly different. In the 2nd study, participants in the symbol background color condition were significantly faster than participants in the other conditions, and participants in the symbol background white with black border were significantly slower than participants in the other conditions. Conclusion Communication partners may benefit from the presence of background color, especially when supporting children using displays with many symbols.

Improving Patient Safety and Patient–Provider Communication

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 1017-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard R. Hurtig ◽  
Rebecca M. Alper ◽  
Karen N. T. Bryant ◽  
Krista R. Davidson ◽  
Chelsea Bilskemper
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Provider Communication ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Patient Provider Communication ◽  
Acute Care Settings ◽  
Nurses Perceptions ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Many hospitalized patients experience barriers to effective patient–provider communication that can negatively impact their care. These barriers include difficulty physically accessing the nurse call system, communicating about pain and other needs, or both. For many patients, these barriers are a result of their admitting condition and not of an underlying chronic disability. Speech-language pathologists have begun to address patients' short-term communication needs with an array of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies. Method This study used a between-groups experimental design to evaluate the impact of providing patients with AAC systems so that they could summon help and communicate with their nurses. The study examined patients' and nurses' perceptions of the patients' ability to summon help and effectively communicate with caregivers. Results Patients who could summon their nurses and effectively communicate—with or without AAC—had significantly more favorable perceptions than those who could not. Conclusions This study suggests that AAC can be successfully used in acute care settings to help patients overcome access and communication barriers. Working with other members of the health care team is essential to building a “culture of communication” in acute care settings. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.9990962

An Exploratory Study on Augmentative and Alternative Communication Classroom Integration Training for Special Educators Who Work With Children With Complex Communication Needs in the Bahamas

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 991-1016
Author(s):  
Shameka Stanford ◽  
Ovetta Harris
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Special Educators ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Complex Communication Needs ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Classroom Integration ◽  
And Training

Purpose In 2011, the United Nations estimated there were between 180 and 220 million youth with disabilities living around the world, and 80% of them resided in developing countries. Over the last 6 years, this number has increased significantly, and now, over 1 million people live in the Caribbean with some form of disability such as communication disorders resulting in complex communication needs (CCN). Method This publication discusses the benefits of an exploratory, descriptive, nonexperimental study on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) classroom integration training for 8 special educators in the Bahamas who work with children with CCN. Results The results of this study revealed that 100% of the participants reported the study to be effective in increasing their knowledge and skill in the area of implementing AAC into their classrooms, enhancing their ability to team teach and incorporate AAC opportunities for all students with CCN within their classrooms, and increasing their knowledge and skill overall in the areas of AAC and CCN. Conclusion The findings highlight an important area of potential professional development and training that can be replicated in other English-speaking Caribbean territories focused on AAC classroom integration training program for special educators who teach students with CCN.

Instruction Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication Supports: Description of Current Practices by Speech-Language Pathologists Who Work With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 586-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn A. Clarke ◽  
Diane L. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Diagnostic Category ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Processing Differences

Purpose The aim of this research study was to examine common practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with respect to whether or not SLPs consider processing differences in ASD or the effects of input during their instruction. Method Following a qualitative research method, how SLPs instruct and present augmentative and alternative communication systems to individuals with ASD, their rationale for method selection, and their perception of the efficacy of selected interventions were probed. Semistructured interviews were conducted as part of an in-depth case report with content analysis. Results Based on completed interviews, 4 primary themes were identified: (a) instructional method , (b) input provided , (c) decision-making process , and (d) perceived efficacy of treatment . Additionally, one secondary theme, training and education received , was identified . Conclusions Clinicians reported making decisions based on the needs of the child; however, they also reported making decisions based on the diagnostic category that characterized the child (i.e., ASD). The use of modeling when teaching augmentative and alternative communication to individuals with ASD emerged as a theme, but variations in the method of modeling were noted. SLPs did not report regularly considering processing differences in ASD, nor did they consider the effects of input during instruction.

Framework for Selecting Vocabulary for Preliterate Children Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 1000-1009
Author(s):  
Allison Bean ◽  
Lindsey Paden Cargill ◽  
Samantha Lyle
Keyword(s):  
Language Impairment ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
School Based ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Nonverbal Children ◽  
Grammatical Structures ◽  
Insufficient Knowledge

Purpose Nearly 50% of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide services to school-age children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). However, many SLPs report having insufficient knowledge in the area of AAC implementation. The objective of this tutorial is to provide clinicians with a framework for supporting 1 area of AAC implementation: vocabulary selection for preliterate children who use AAC. Method This tutorial focuses on 4 variables that clinicians should consider when selecting vocabulary: (a) contexts/environments where the vocabulary can be used, (b) time span during which the vocabulary will be relevant, (c) whether the vocabulary can elicit and maintain interactions with other people, and (d) whether the vocabulary will facilitate developmentally appropriate grammatical structures. This tutorial focuses on the role that these variables play in language development in verbal children with typical development, verbal children with language impairment, and nonverbal children who use AAC. Results Use of the 4 variables highlighted above may help practicing SLPs select vocabulary that will best facilitate language acquisition in preliterate children who use AAC.

AAC Considerations for Individuals With Angelman Syndrome

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 106-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen N. Calculator
Keyword(s):  
Angelman Syndrome ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Design And Implementation

Purpose To provide an overview of communication characteristics exhibited by individuals with Angelman Syndrome (AS) and special considerations associated with the design and implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) programs. Method Results of recent studies exploring individuals' uses of AAC are reviewed, with particular emphasis on factors related to individuals' acceptance and successful uses of AAC systems. Results Not applicable Conclusion Despite their inconsistent access to practices previously found to foster individuals' acceptance of AAC systems, individuals with AS demonstrate the ability to use AAC systems, including high-tech AAC devices, successfully.

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