Asking well-built questions for evidence-based practice in augmentative and alternative communication

2007 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf W. Schlosser ◽  
Rajinder Koul ◽  
John Costello
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Alternative Communication

scholarly journals Evidence-based support for autistic people across the lifespan: Maximizing potential, minimizing barriers, and optimizing the person-environment fit

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng-Chuan Lai ◽  
Evdokia Anagnostou ◽  
Max Wiznitzer ◽  
Carrie Allison ◽  
Simon Baron-Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Dual Nature ◽  
Education Community ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Person Environment Fit ◽  
Communication Difficulties

Autism is both a medical condition that can give rise to disability and an example of human neurological variation (‘neurodiversity’) that contributes to identity, with cognitive assets and challenges. We refer to this as the dual nature of autism. Enhancing adaptation and wellbeing is the ultimate goal for intervention/support. Evidence-based support for autistic people across the lifespan is emerging. Support should be collaborative between autistic individuals, their families, and service providers, taking a shared decision-making approach. To maximize the individual’s potential, comprehensive early intervention and parent-mediated intervention, ideally taking a naturalistic approach, may help support the early development of adaptive, cognitive and language skills. Targeted intervention of social skills and aspects of cognition may help but challenges remain for behavioural flexibility and generalisation to different contexts. To minimize barriers for an individual’s development and adaptation, augmentative and alternative communication may potentially reduce communication difficulties. Alleviating co-occurring health challenges by timely medical, pharmacological or psychological interventions is essential. Finally, optimizing the person-environment fit by creating autism-friendly contexts through reasonable adjustments is critical. This involves supporting families, reducing stigma, enhancing peer understanding of autism, and promoting true inclusion in education, community and work environments, alongside strong advocacy.

Therapy Session 2.0: From Static to Dynamic With the iPad

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 84-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Hirsch Atticks
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Therapy Session ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Communication Deficits ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Use Of Technology

Tablets, specifically the iPad, quickly are becoming a valuable therapy tool for clients with cognitive-communication deficits. Speech-language pathologists are beginning to introduce the iPad into therapy in innovative ways that capture their clients' attention, motivate them, and empower them to be successful outside of the therapy session. The popularity and proliferation of mobile technology is threefold: incoming clinicians, who have been born into a digital world, are readily using technology and mobile devices with their clients; mobile devices and apps are replacing the larger isolating Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) predecessors; and many clients are requesting the use of technology in their therapy sessions. These mobile devices are readily available, relatively inexpensive compared to AAC devices of the past, and do not isolate individuals with cognitive-communication deficits from the general population. These devices, rather, are the “it factor” that spans generations (The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Communication Enhancement, 2011). Although these multifunctional devices are innovative and accessible, they do not replace a speech-language pathologist. Evidence-based practice and appropriate objectives are essential. Experienced clinicians must serve as advocates for our clients and provide ongoing support and assistance. Therapy does not end in the session by simply handing the client an iPad. Clinicians serve a critical role in identifying the appropriate software applications (apps) for their clients, using evidence-based practice, and providing continued support and training for clients to be successful and to meet their personal goals.

Planning for Implementation Science in Clinical Practice Research: An Augmentative and Alternative Communication Example

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Cathy Binger ◽  
Natalie Douglas ◽  
Jennifer Kent-Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Implementation Science ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Implementation Framework ◽  
Research Programs ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose Most evidence-based clinical research findings in communication sciences and disorders never achieve full implementation by practicing clinicians. To address this almost universal problem, this tutorial focuses on the initial planning steps of including implementation methodologies as part of clinical practice research programs. Integrating the principles and methodologies of implementation science can shift the current reality, leading to better uptake of evidence-based interventions. Method A step-by-step approach to integrating implementation science into new or existing research projects is provided, including the construction of a logic model, the selection of an implementation framework, and the selection of research methodologies. A detailed example of an augmentative and alternative communication research program is provided to illustrate the process. Conclusions Readily available online tools can help researchers start the process of integrating implementation science into clinical practice research, and existing frameworks can assist with developing and guiding research programs to ensure maximal impact. If the ultimate goal is to improve the daily lives of individuals with communication disorders through the use of evidence-based practices, clinical practice researchers must integrate these approaches into their research programs.

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.

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