As practitioners dedicated to creating optimal communication outcomes for children, understanding and implementing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) can significantly impact the lives of those with severe/profound intellectual disabilities. A recent systematic review titled Communication partners experiences of communicating with adults with severe/profound intellectual disability through augmentative and alternative communication: A mixed methods systematic review provides valuable insights into the experiences of communication partners and offers strategies to enhance AAC implementation.
Key Findings
The review synthesized evidence from eight publications and identified four major themes:
- Knowledge of AAC: Training and education significantly enhance AAC usage. Practitioners with comprehensive AAC training can better support communication partners and individuals with severe/profound intellectual disabilities.
- Attitudes and AAC Use: Positive attitudes towards AAC and willingness to use it are crucial. However, over-familiarity with the individual can sometimes lead to assumptions that hinder effective communication.
- Shared Commitment to Communication Partnership: Clear roles and responsibilities among communication partners are essential. Collaboration and inclusion of all stakeholders, including family members, enhance the effectiveness of AAC interventions.
- Suitability of AAC: The chosen AAC methods must be tailored to the individual's specific communication needs. Understanding the individual's abilities and preferences is critical for selecting the most appropriate AAC tools.
Practical Recommendations
Based on these findings, practitioners can take several steps to improve AAC implementation:
- Invest in Training: Ensure that all communication partners, including support staff and family members, receive comprehensive AAC training.
- Foster Positive Attitudes: Encourage a positive and open mindset towards AAC among all stakeholders. Address any misconceptions or biases that may hinder AAC usage.
- Define Roles Clearly: Establish clear roles and responsibilities for each communication partner to avoid confusion and ensure consistent AAC use.
- Tailor AAC to Individual Needs: Conduct thorough assessments to understand the individual's specific communication needs and preferences. Choose AAC tools that align with these needs.
Encouraging Further Research
While the review provides valuable insights, it also highlights the need for further research. Understanding the perceptions of communication partners regarding their roles and responsibilities can facilitate better collaboration and improve AAC outcomes. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in ongoing research and stay updated with the latest developments in AAC.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Communication partners experiences of communicating with adults with severe/profound intellectual disability through augmentative and alternative communication: A mixed methods systematic review.
