Augmentative and Alternative Communication Impact on Families: Trends and Future Directions

Abstract

Family issues must be considered prior to the prescription of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for children with disabilities. A review of the literature is provided regarding three emerging trends related to AAC impact, including the prescription of appropriate AAC devices, implementation of AAC across multiple contexts, and maintenance of AAC use and anticipation of transition needs. The review suggests that failure to consider family issues may contribute to increased family stress and failure of children and families to use these devices. Future directions in AAC service delivery are summarized.

AAC Interventions for Children in a Family Environment: Implementing Evidence in Practice

“…Several studies have used non-experimental research methodologies with parents to investigate AAC-specific aspects of interventions (and especially AAC technologies) in the home environment (e.g., Angelo, Kokoska, & Jones, 1996;Goldbart & Marshall, 2004;McNaughton et al, 2008;Parette & Angelo, 1996). These studies utilized a range of research methodologies, including focus-group discussions, individual interviews, and questionnaires.…”

“…Results of focus groups with parents (McNaughton et al, 2008;Parette & Angelo, 1996) have indicated that ongoing support from clinicians and family members is perceived by parents to be very important for intervention sustainability. When this support is not available, it is difficult to sustain AAC interventions.…”

The state of research and practice in augmentative and alternative communication for children with developmental/intellectual disabilities

“…One way to do this is to understand AAC service provision over time and in different countries and cultural--linguistic communities [e.g., see Zangari et al, 1994;Hourcade et al, 2004]. Another avenue is to examine the effects of AAC intervention not just on clients, but on their families Parette and Angelo, 1996;Parette et al, 2000]. Recent discussions have emerged concerning the cultural appropriateness of different symbol types [Huer, 2003;Nigam, 2003] as well as how AAC practice or research can be conducted in culturally sensitive ways [Huer and Saenz, 2002;Vanbiervliet and Parette, 2002].…”

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Practice in the Pursuit of Family Quality of Life: A Review of the Literature

“…An overview of historical development of AAC services shows that AAC assessment and intervention historically have centered on identifying the needs of the client as an individual rather that the individual within a family context (Hourcade, Pilotte, West, & Parette, 2004;Parette & Angelo, 1996). In the 1980s, professionals began to incorporate into their considerations the impact that the introduction of an AAC system could have upon families, and this challenge has been continued to influence implementation decisions today (Hourcade et al, 2004).…”

“…In the 1980s, professionals began to incorporate into their considerations the impact that the introduction of an AAC system could have upon families, and this challenge has been continued to influence implementation decisions today (Hourcade et al, 2004). Although IDEA expresses a clear preference for familyYprofessional partnerships in educational decision making, current practices may not always reflect the spirit of the law, and client-focused interventions have been far more common than familycentered practices in the field of AAC (Blackstone, 1994;Hourcade et al, 2004;Parette & Angelo, 1996). Related service personnel often underestimate family influence and have been discouraged when family members fail to comply with professionally prescribed AAC interventions (Parette & Angelo, 1996).…”