Vocabulary use during extended conversations by two cohorts of older adults

Conversational Topics Between a Child with Complex Communication Needs and her Caregiver at Mealtime

“…This research has, in turn, led to attempts to create resources, and the exploration of methods for constructing functional and personal vocabularies. In particular, there has been a focus on (a) issues related to vocabulary prediction and selection and (b) factors that have the potential to influence vocabulary use and need within specific conversational contexts (e.g., Baker, Hill & Devylder, 2000;Balandin & Iacono, 1998a, 1998bBeukelman, McGinnis, & Morrow, 1991;Fried-Oken & More, 1992;Marvin et al, 1994;Stuart et al, 1997;Todman, Elder, & Alm, 1995;Yorkston, Smith, & Beukelman, 1990).…”

“…AAC graphic sign and symbol displays also are often developed in relation to specific activities; many researchers, for example, have focused on content from a vocabulary perspective, studying types and occurrences of isolated words, small talk, and topics (e.g., Balandin & Iacono, 1998a;King, Spoeneman, Stuart, & Beukelman, 1995;Marvin, Beukelman, & Bilyeu, 1994;Stuart, Beukelman, & King, 1997;Stuart, Vanderhoof, & Beukelman, 1993). This research has, in turn, led to attempts to create resources, and the exploration of methods for constructing functional and personal vocabularies.…”

Small Groups, Big Gains: Efficacy of a Tier 2 Phonological Awareness Intervention With Preschoolers With Early Literacy Deficits

“…With 75 years as the median age, two groups were created: 52-75 years for the younger group and 76-94 years for the older group. Because individuals who rely on AAC often require the assistance of partners to identify words and messages for their communication supports (Stuart, Beukelman, & King, 1997) and because the goal of this research addresses vocabulary needs in a bidirectional conversation, one family member or familiar informant, identified by the participant, assisted in topic selection. The 109 family members and familiar informants queried were 37 men and 72 women, all over the age of 18 years, with the following relationships to the participants with probable AD or PPA: 67 spouses, 32 adult children, five paid caregivers, three friends, one mother, and one daughter-in-law.…”

Vocabulary to Support Socially-Valued Adult Roles

“…Most of this research has utilized language samples from typical speakers who were preschoolers and toddlers (Benajee, Dicarlo, & Stricklin, 2003;Fallon, Light, & Paige, 2001;Marvin, Beukelman, & Bilyeu, 1994); adults in a variety of contexts (Balandin & Iacono, 1999;Beukelman, McGinnis, & Morrow, 1991;King, Spoeneman, Stewart, & Beukelman, 1995;To¨nsing & Alant, 2004); or aging older adults (Stuart, Vanderhoof, & Beukelman, 1993;Stuart, Beukelman, & King 1997). Word lists based on language samples from like individuals (Yorkston, Smith, & Beukelman, 1990), and language activity monitoring (Hill & Romich, 1999) of individuals who use AAC, have also been used to study vocabulary.…”