Jeff Sigafoos, Laura Roche, Mark F O'Reilly, Giulio E Lancioni, Peter B Marschik
{"title":"Updated systematic-narrative review on communication intervention in Rett Syndrome: 2010-2022.","authors":"Jeff Sigafoos, Laura Roche, Mark F O'Reilly, Giulio E Lancioni, Peter B Marschik","doi":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2215864","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2215864","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Due to loss of spoken language and resulting complex communication needs, people with Rett syndrome are obvious candidates for communication intervention. To advance evidence-based practice and guide future research efforts, we identified and summarized 16 communication intervention studies published since a previous 2009 review on this topic. Studies were summarized in terms of (a) participants, (b) dependent variables related to communication, (c) intervention characteristics, (d) outcomes, and (e) certainty of evidence. Across the 16 studies, intervention was provided to a total of 100 participants from 3 to 47 years of age. Half of the studies used systematic instruction to teach aided AAC. Other interventions and associated technologies included music therapy, eye tracking technology, and transcranial stimulation. Positive outcomes (e.g., using AAC devices to make requests and/or initiate social-communication interactions) were reported in 13 of the studies. These 16 new studies provide additional guidance on how to enhance the communicative functioning of people with Rett syndrome. Future research directions are highlighted.</p>","PeriodicalId":49234,"journal":{"name":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","volume":" ","pages":"241-255"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9966087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mo Chen, Jolene Hyppa-Martin, H Timothy Bunnell, Jason Lilley, Celestine Foo, Han Wei Tan, Wei Shun Lim
{"title":"Voice banking to support individuals who use speech-generating devices: development and evaluation of Singaporean-accented English synthetic voices and a Singapore Colloquial English recording inventory.","authors":"Mo Chen, Jolene Hyppa-Martin, H Timothy Bunnell, Jason Lilley, Celestine Foo, Han Wei Tan, Wei Shun Lim","doi":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2181213","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2181213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Voice banking involves recording an inventory of sentences produced via natural speech. The recordings are used to create a synthetic text-to-speech voice that can be installed on speech-generating devices. This study highlights a minimally researched, clinically relevant issue surrounding the development and evaluation of Singaporean-accented English synthetic voices that were created using readily available voice banking software and hardware. Processes used to create seven unique synthetic voices that produce Singaporean-accented English, and the development of a custom Singaporean Colloquial English (SCE) recording inventory, are reviewed. The perspectives of adults who spoke SCE and banked their voices for this project are summarized and were generally positive. Finally, 100 adults familiar with SCE participated in an experiment that evaluated the intelligibility and naturalness of the Singaporean-accented synthetic voices, as well as the effect of the SCE custom inventory on listener preferences. The addition of the custom SCE inventory did not affect intelligibility or naturalness of the synthetic speech, and listeners tended to prefer the voice created with the SCE inventory when the stimulus was an SCE passage. The procedures used in this project may be helpful for interventionists who wish to create synthetic voices with accents that are not commercially available.</p>","PeriodicalId":49234,"journal":{"name":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","volume":" ","pages":"208-218"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9170256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Speech-language pathologists' perceptions of augmentative and alternative communication in Thailand.","authors":"Wansiya Kamonsitichai, Howard Goldstein","doi":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2208222","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2208222","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems are not well-known and broadly used in Thailand. To begin introducing AAC systems and interventions to children with complex communication needs in Thailand, understanding speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) perceptions toward various AAC systems is an important first step. This study assessed SLPs' perceptions of three AAC modalities: gestural communication, communication boards, and iPad<sup>1</sup>-based speech-output technologies. A total of 78 SLPs watched three video vignettes of a child using each mode and rated their impressions of intelligibility, ease of learnability and use, effectiveness, and preference. Then they were asked to rate factors on visual analog scales that provided additional insights into their rationales and their preferences for AAC modalities for nonverbal clients and for themselves if they were nonverbal. The results indicated that most of the SLPs rated iPad-based speech-output technologies as being the more intelligible, effective, and preferred mode of communication. Gestural communication was rated as the easiest mode to learn and use for a child with complex communication needs. Despite infrequent use of iPad-based speech-output technologies in Thailand, SLPs' ratings indicated high social acceptance of this modality for promoting communication abilities of children with complex communication needs. Results also revealed some biases and lack of knowledge about AAC systems in Thailand.</p>","PeriodicalId":49234,"journal":{"name":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","volume":" ","pages":"230-240"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9448386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gloria Soto, Michael T Clarke, Gat Savaldi-Harussi
{"title":"Relationship between lexicon and grammar in children and youth who use augmentative and alternative communication.","authors":"Gloria Soto, Michael T Clarke, Gat Savaldi-Harussi","doi":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2237108","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2237108","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present study investigated the relationship between lexicon and grammar in individuals who use graphic symbol-based aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Data came from 60 transcripts of generalization sessions that were part of two previous intervention studies, aimed at improving the expressive vocabulary and grammar of 12 children and youth who used graphic symbol-based AAC. The specific aims of the current study were to (a) describe vocabulary composition across different levels of expressive vocabulary and (b) analyze the relationship between global measures of expressive vocabulary and the use of grammar in individuals who use aided AAC. A series of multiple linear mixed effect regression analyses showed a positive predictive association between overall vocabulary size and the use of closed-class words, and a positive relationship between the use of verbs and the use of closed-class words. Additionally, the use of verbs had a significant positive association with the use of inflectional morphology, while the use of nouns did not. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":49234,"journal":{"name":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","volume":" ","pages":"293-301"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10159782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Provision of augmentative and alternative communication interventions to Norwegian preschool children with cerebral palsy: are the right children receiving interventions?","authors":"Hilde Aven Lillehaug, Gunvor Lilleholt Klevberg, Kristine Stadskleiv","doi":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2212068","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2212068","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Preschool children with cerebral palsy (CP) with no or unintelligible speech need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), but not all children needing AAC have access to it. This study describes the use and perceived benefit of AAC and explores factors associated with receiving AAC interventions. Using a cross-sectional design, we combined parent-reported data with data from the Norwegian Quality and Surveillance Registry for Cerebral Palsy (NorCP). Communication, speech and hand function was classified according to the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), Viking Speech Scale (VSS), and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), accordingly. The need for AAC was defined as Levels III-V on the CFCS, without simultaneous classification at VSS Level I, and/or Levels III-IV on VSS. Parents reported on child- and family-directed AAC interventions using the Habilitation Services Questionnaire. Of the 95 children (42 females) with CP (<i>M</i> = 39.4 months, <i>SD</i> = 10.3), 14 had communication aids. Of the 35 children (31.4%) defined as needing AAC, 11 had been provided with communication aids. Parents of children with a communication aid reported satisfaction with and frequent use of the aid. Children at MACS Level III-V (OR = 3.4, <i>p</i> = .02) or with epilepsy (OR = 8.9, <i>p</i> < .01) were most likely to have received an AAC intervention. The low proportion of children receiving communication aids indicates an unmet need for AAC interventions among preschool children with CP.</p>","PeriodicalId":49234,"journal":{"name":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","volume":" ","pages":"219-229"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9499037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"2023: Tempus fugit!","authors":"Rose A Sevcik, MaryAnn Romski","doi":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2271575","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2271575","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49234,"journal":{"name":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","volume":"39 4","pages":"207"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71487972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"\"It's like a guessing game all the time\": parent insights on barriers, supports, and priorities for children with cortical visual impairment and complex communication needs.","authors":"Tara V McCarty, Janice C Light","doi":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2206904","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2206904","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parents of children with both cortical visual impairment (CVI) and complex communication needs offer unique perspectives on their children's journeys to receiving proper diagnoses, supports, and interventions, such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This study explored the lived experiences, supports, and barriers identified by parents through a qualitative phenomenological approach. Nine parents of children with both CVI and complex communication needs were interviewed virtually. Results indicated five themes descriptive of the parents' experiences: Challenges Piecing Together a CVI Diagnosis; Dealing with Low Expectations of Others; Parents Empowered to Take Action; Guessing Game to Determine Appropriate AAC to Accommodate CVI; and Aligning Professional Practice with Parent Priorities. Whereas some of these themes echoed the experiences of parents of children with complex communication needs (such as those with cerebral palsy) who were not specifically diagnosed with CVI, other themes were unique to this set of parents including the uncertainty of AAC design and intervention given the challenges of CVI and the necessity of more than one way for children to communicate given their visual challenges. This study highlighted the dire need for continued investigation to determine effective AAC interventions for individuals with CVI.</p>","PeriodicalId":49234,"journal":{"name":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","volume":" ","pages":"256-269"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11267258/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9432830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"\"I don't think you can really understand it until you put it to action\": school-based SLPs' reflections on graduate and continuing education in AAC.","authors":"Jennifer J Thistle, Amber Thiessen, Jeffery Hart","doi":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2220794","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2220794","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Graduate programs have made strides to improve augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) learning opportunities for pre-service speech-language pathologists (SLPs). In addition, a number of continuing education opportunities are available to practicing SLPs; however, many still report feeling underprepared to serve clients with AAC needs. The purpose of this study was to describe school-based SLPs' perspectives regarding their graduate training, on-the-job experience, and ongoing professional development needs related to AAC. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 17 school-based SLPs. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using a phenomenological approach, key themes emerged related to AAC knowledge and skills including a need for SLPs to rely on a framework for decision making, the importance of interprofessional training, and difficulties with staying abreast of new technology. The researchers present recommendations of principles and concepts for instructors to include in graduate AAC courses, as well as professional development considerations.</p>","PeriodicalId":49234,"journal":{"name":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","volume":" ","pages":"270-281"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10309367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"\"They aren't waiting for an SLP, they think 'what can I as a parent do now?'\" course leaders' perceptions of AAC interventions targeting parents.","authors":"Hanna Nordlund, Anna Fäldt","doi":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2233033","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2233033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parental interventions can help parents use strategies to support their child's language and communication development. The ComAlong courses are parental interventions that focus on responsive communication, enhanced milieu teaching, and augmentative and alternative communication. This interview study aimed to investigate the course leaders' perceptions of the three ComAlong courses, ComAlong Habilitation, ComAlong Developmental Language Disorder, and ComAlong Toddler, and to evaluate their experiences of the implementation of the courses. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Thereafter, three categories resulted from the findings: Impact on the Family, A Great Course Concept, and Accessibility of the Courses. The results indicate that participants perceived that the courses had positive effects on both parents and themself. Furthermore, it was described that parents gained knowledge about communication and strategies in how to develop their child's communication; however, the courses were not accessible to all parents. The collaboration between the parents and course leaders improved, and course leaders viewed the courses as an important part of their work. The following factors had an impact on the implementation: several course leaders in the same workplace, support from colleagues and management, and recruitment of parents to the courses.</p>","PeriodicalId":49234,"journal":{"name":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","volume":" ","pages":"282-292"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9838230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Edward J D Webb, David Meads, Yvonne Lynch, Nicola Randall, Simon Judge, Juliet Goldbart, Stuart Meredith, Liz Moulam, Stephane Hess, Janice Murray
{"title":"Something for everybody? Assessing the suitability of AAC systems for children using stated preference methods.","authors":"Edward J D Webb, David Meads, Yvonne Lynch, Nicola Randall, Simon Judge, Juliet Goldbart, Stuart Meredith, Liz Moulam, Stephane Hess, Janice Murray","doi":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2206582","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2023.2206582","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Little is known about what features of AAC systems are regarded by AAC professionals as more suitable for children with different characteristics. A survey was conducted in which participants rated the suitability of hypothetical AAC systems on a Likert scale from 1 (<i>very unsuitable</i>) to 7 (<i>very suitable</i>) alongside a discrete choice experiment. The survey was administered online to 155 AAC professionals in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Statistical modeling was used to estimate how suitable 274 hypothetical AAC systems were for each of 36 child vignettes. The proportion of AAC systems rated at least 5 out of 7 for suitability varied from 51.1% to 98.5% for different child vignettes. Only 12 out of 36 child vignettes had any AAC systems rated at least 6 out of 7 for suitability. The features of the most suitable AAC system depended on the characteristics of the child vignette. The results show that, while every child vignette had several systems that had a good suitability rating, there were variations, that could potentially lead to inequalities in provision.</p>","PeriodicalId":49234,"journal":{"name":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","volume":"39 3","pages":"157-169"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10317512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}