The research status of augmentative and alternative communication for children with special needs in mainland China: A bibliometric analysis

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) refers to methods and tools that facilitate communication for individuals with limited functional speech. This study aims to present and analyse the research status of AAC interventions for children with special needs in mainland China using a bibliometric analysis approach. The researcher conducted a literature search in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database to identify relevant studies. Based on the literature search, 80 articles met the inclusion criteria. The research literature spans from 2007 to 2022, with a notable increase in publications after 2015. The majority of studies focus on children with autism, while other disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities and cerebral palsy, receive less attention. AAC interventions primarily utilize low-technology communication aids, with limited use of high-technology tools. Research on AAC interventions for children with special needs in mainland China has grown recently. However, it still falls short of meeting the potential demand to promote the application and development of AAC. More diverse research is needed, including various disabilities and higher-technology AAC tools. The effectiveness of AAC in impacting users and their communication partners will increase their quality of life and social interactions.