Communicative Competence for Individuals who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A New Definition for a New Era of Communication?

Abstract

In 1989, Light defi ned communicative competence for individuals with complex communication needs who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as a dynamic interpersonal construct based on functionality of communication; adequacy of communication; and suffi ciency of knowledge, judgment, and skills. Specifi cally, Light argued that, in order to demonstrate communicative competence, individuals who required AAC had to develop and integrate knowledge, judgment, and skills in four interrelated domains: linguistic, operational, social, and strategic. In 2003, Light expanded this defi nition and argued that the attainment of communicative competence is infl uenced by not just linguistic, operational, social, and strategic competencies but also a variety of psychosocial factors (e.g., motivation, attitude, confi dence, resilience) as well as barriers and supports in the environment. In the 25 years since this defi nition of communicative competence for individuals who use AAC was originally proposed, there have been signifi cant changes in the AAC fi eld. In this paper, we review the preliminary defi nition of communicative competence, consider the changes in the fi eld, and then revisit the proposed defi nition to determine if it is still relevant and valid for this new era of communication.

Designing AAC Research and Intervention to Improve Outcomes for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs

“…Although specifi c skills are important to build the foundation for communication, Light and colleagues have argued that they are by no means suffi cient to attain communicative competence (Light, 1989;Light, 2003;Light & McNaughton, 2014). Rather, communicative competence rests on the dynamic integration of linguistic, operational, social, and strategic skills in response to the communicative demands within real world interactions with various partners in the natural environment.…”

“…Light (2003) and Light and McNaughton (2014) also highlighted the importance of personal psychosocial factors in their proposed model of communicative competence, emphasizing that communicative competence rests not just on the integration of linguistic, operational, social, and strategic skills, but also on a range of psychosocial variables. Specifi cally, they underscored the importance of the following factors: (a) motivation that defi nes the individual ' s drive to communicate with others, (b) attitude that infl uences the individual ' s willingness to use AAC, (c) confi dence that impacts the propensity to actually act (i.e., to try to communicate), and (d) resilience that defi nes the individual ' s persistence in the face of barriers, adversities, and communication failures (Light, 2003;Light & McNaughton, 2014). These factors are of critical importance, for they defi ne the resources that the individual may bring to bear on the communication process.…”

“…Although numerous authors have highlighted the importance of considering environmental barriers that limit the communication of individuals with complex communication needs (e.g., Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013;Light & McNaughton, 2014), simply working to eliminate opportunity barriers is seldom suffi cient to ensure that children and adults achieve meaningful communication and full participation in society.…”

Language Development of Individuals Who Require Aided Communication: Reflections on State of the Science and Future Research Directions

“…The intrinsic resources, learning mechanisms, or foundations (Paul, 1997b) on which children using aided communication build their language skills include not only their sensory, motor, and language skills but also a wide range of cognitive abilities (Murray & Goldbart, 2009); learning styles (Basil, 1992;Iacono, 1992); personal preferences (Clarke, McConachie, Price, & Wood, 2001); and factors such as resilience, persistence, and Running head: LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND AIDED COMMUNICATION 26 motivation (Light & McNaughton, 2014;Raghavendra, Bornman, Granlund, & BjorckAkesson, 2007). Over the past 3 decades, much has been learned about the demands that aided communication places on these domains.…”

Conceptualizing Literacy in Aac: Some Reflections

“…The basic word when talking about methods and methodology is structure (Light & Binger, 1998). Planning is of outmost importance and according to a good combination of scientific knowledge, professional practical knowledge and empathy.…”