MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Augmentative and Alternative Communication' source. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:37:41 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5635689&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22263895%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Flores M, Musgrove K, Renner S, Hinton V, Strozier S, Franklin S, Hil D Abstract Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions have been shown to improve both communication and social skills in children and youth with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. AAC applications have become available for personal devices such as cell phones, MP3 Players, and personal computer tablets. It is critical that these new forms of AAC are explored and evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of the Apple iPad™ as a communication device by comparing its use to a communication system using picture cards. Five elementary students with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities who used a picture card syste... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5635689 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5635689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5486545&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22136361%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Balandin S, Goldbart J PMID: 22136361 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5486545 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5486545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5486544&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22136362%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pickl G Abstract Increasing global population movement has resulted in a corresponding increase of children with severe and multiple disabilities and complex communication needs who at home are exposed to languages different from the language used at school. The aim of this study was to highlight facilitating as well as limiting factors for effective communication intervention for these children both in school and within the family. Based on observations, qualitative research interviews and analysis in the tradition of grounded theory the results indicate that the quality of parent-teacher-interaction is central to effective communication intervention and culturally sensitive use of communication aids. Challenges for teachers as well as parents to achieve a mutually satisf... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5486544 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5486544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5486543&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22136363%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dew A, Balandin S, Llewellyn G Abstract A life-course methodology was used to explore the relationship between four adults with moderate/severe cerebral palsy with complex communication needs who used AAC, and six of their non-disabled siblings. In-depth interview data were analyzed using a constructivist grounded-theory approach. Elder's life-course paradigm illuminated the importance of historical timing, social time, linked lives, and human agency to the development of communication strategies between siblings. Taking a life-course approach to studying issues related to individuals who use AAC assists understanding of how their family experiences and relationships change over time. This understanding is important, given the strong commitment by family members demonstrat... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5486543 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5486543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5486542&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22136364%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hines M, Balandin S, Togher L Abstract The aim of this study was to explore the communication experiences, particularly those related to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), of older parents who had an adult son or daughter with autism. A narrative analysis of in-depth interviews with 16 older parents indicated that the majority had rarely spontaneously mentioned AAC or other communication interventions. Most did not express the need for such services. Yet, communication breakdown featured prominently in parents' narratives about interactions with their son or daughter. The quality of the communication between older parents and their offspring with autism constituted important sources of both gratification and strain in parents' roles as caregivers. Reasons fo... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5486542 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5486542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5486541&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22136365%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Johnson H, Douglas J, Bigby C, Iacono T Abstract Observation methods have been used in both communication and interaction research. Qualitative interpretive approaches are rare where participants have complex communication needs. Issues for qualitative researchers utilizing participant observation research methods have been well documented, but a similar discussion is lacking where the participants are people with severe intellectual disability. Observational data collected from a study of adults with severe intellectual disabilities in interaction with their social network members were scrutinized to identify challenges and benefits of participant observation. Challenges identified include the consent process, changing roles, and researcher intrusion. The use of participa... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5486541 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5486541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5486540&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22136366%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Anderson K, Balandin S Abstract Children are valuable informants for social research; however, their participation presents additional ethical and practical challenges. Of these challenges, feedback to verify the researchers' interpretations drawn from children's data, and the dissemination of project findings to young participants, have proven difficult to overcome. In this paper, we outline the Storybook method, an approach to feedback in research with young children. In the example study, illustrations, interactive pop-ups, and third-person disclosure were used to aid children aged 7-9 years to overcome the power imbalance in interviews with adults. The Storybook method facilitated active participation in the validation process. Potential modifications of the method for... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5486540 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5486540 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5486539&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22136367%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Smith MM, Murray J Abstract Identifying and rating the outcomes of an intervention is not a new concept, but has gained impetus and currency with the emergence of evidence-based practice to support clinical decision making. In this paper, we present a metaphor as a unifying framework for the many different goals and outcomes that may come into focus across extended interventions with individuals who use aided communication. The metaphor is that of skydiving. We explore the value of this metaphor in understanding outcome measures for interventions, using analysis of interview data collected with adults who have used high-tech aided communication devices over many years. PMID: 22136367 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5486539 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5486539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5338285&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22008027%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Von Tetzchner S, Basil C Abstract There is a need for a continuous discussion about what terms one should use within the field of augmentative and alternative communication. When talking and thinking about people in their role as users of alternative communication forms, the terms should reflect their communicative ways and means, their achievements and what they are doing, rather than focus on what they cannot do. There are rather few articles analyzing utterance construction and dialogue processes involving children and adults using manual and graphic communication systems. The aim of this paper was to contribute to reviving the discussion of terminology and to more analyses of signing and aided communication and an increase in the use of conversation excerpts in the AAC... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5338285 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5338285 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5338284&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22008028%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lesperance A, Blain S, Chau T Abstract Children with hyperkinetic movement (HKM) often have limited access to traditional augmentative and alternative communication technologies (e.g., mechanical switches). To seek a communication solution for these children, this study explored the possibility that discernable biomechanical patterns, related to preference, exist amid HKM. We deployed a unified approach to analyse a child's movements, fusing caregiver and clinician observations with quantitative data (accelerations of the upper extremities). Two case studies were examined. In both, the accelerometer data identified preference at adjusted accuracies statistically above chance using a linear discriminant classifier. Visually, communicative movement patterns were identified i... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5338284 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5338284 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5338283&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22008029%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sigafoos J, Wermink H, Didden R, Green VA, Schlosser RW, O'Reilly MF, Lancioni GE Abstract Students with developmental disabilities and limited or no functional speech often use speech-generating devices. While the speech-output function of such devices is considered to have potential advantages, it is unclear whether the length of synthetic speech output influences augmented communication and natural speech production. To this end, we describe a two-phase study involving an adolescent with Klinefelter syndrome. In Phase 1, the frequency of augmented requests and natural speech were compared under three speech-output conditions (no-output, short-output, and long-output). In Phase 2, augmented requests in the long-output condition were no longer reinforced to determine if t... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5338283 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5338283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5338282&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22008030%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bruce SM, Trief E, Cascella PW Abstract Twenty-nine special education teachers (n = 21) and speech-language pathologists (n = 8) were interviewed about a tangible symbols intervention conducted with 51 children (3-21 years) with multiple disabilities and visual impairment. The intervention, which took place over a 7-month period, addressed the use of tangible symbols in the context of a structured protocol for implementing the daily schedule. These educators reported that students learned the meaning of symbols, exhibited improved behavior, and learned part or all of the daily routine, among other benefits. Supports and barriers to student learning (later coded as student characteristics or intervention characteristics) were discussed. Interviewees suggested improv... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5338282 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5338282 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5338281&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22008031%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bernardi L, Tuzzi A Abstract This research note focuses on some of the opportunities provided by the statistical analysis of textual data, by illustrating examples of the use of lexicon-based quantitative measures with texts within a particular context of augmentative and alternative communication. The corpus is composed of 12 essays produced by six individuals with autism and six participants without disabilities in a control group during sessions of facilitated communication. The study raises questions that can be answered thanks to the statistical methods implemented in the text analysis framework and other procedures that may be used to identify the characteristics of texts (and their writers) and compare texts (or subcorpora). The aim is to discuss strengths, weakness... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5338281 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5338281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5338280&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22008032%26dopt%3DAbstract This study compared the participation patterns of school-age children with and without physical disabilities and complex communication needs in extracurricular activities. Participants included five children between 6-9 years of age with moderate-severe physical disability and complex communication needs, and five matched peers. Findings showed that children with physical disability and complex communication needs engaged in activities with reduced variety, lower frequency, fewer partners and in limited venues, but reported higher levels of enjoyment and preference for activity participation, than their matched peers. These children also had fewer same-aged friends, but more paid workers in their social circle. This small-scale descriptive study provides some preliminary evidence about the... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5338280 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5338280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5338279&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22008033%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schlosser RW, Shane H, Sorce J, Koul R, Bloomfield E Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify graphic symbols for verbs and prepositions that were performing and underperforming in static and animated formats in a recent experiment on the effects of animation on transparency, name agreement, and identification of graphic symbols. Variable-specific criteria were developed in order to define when a symbol is considered to be performing in terms of its transparency, name agreement, and identification accuracy. Additionally, across-variable heuristic criteria were developed that allowed classification of symbols into four categories: (a) performing exceptionally, (b) performing effectively, (c) performing adequately, and (d) performing inadequately. These criteria we... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5338279 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5338279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848563&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592002%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined how infants' age, joint attention (JA) skills, caregiver ratings of language and temperament, and caregiver JA style related to JA in a structured literacy task with an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system. Sixteen infants (mean = 10.6 months) without disabilities participated in two storybook reading interactions with anexperimenter in two conditions where the AAC system was either aligned or divided from the experimenter's eye gaze. Individual differences in JA skills, caregiver JA style, and temperament were associated with coordinated JA across both conditions. The findings suggest it is important to examine both extrinsic and intrinsic factors, which may not only reduce attention demands but also mediate the success of JA interactions with AA... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848563 Sat, 21 May 2011 16:00:23 +0100 4848563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848562&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592003%26dopt%3DAbstract "He Cares About Me and I Care About Him." Children's Experiences of Friendship with Peers who use AAC. Augment Altern Commun. 2011 Jun;27(2):77-90 Authors: Anderson K, Balandin S, Clendon S Typically developing children face multiple challenges in developing friendships with peers who have severe physical disabilities and use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), especially when these peers experience restrictions in mobility, educational participation, physical access, and communication. In this small qualitative study, six typically developing children were interviewed about their friendships with classmates who have cerebral palsy and use AAC. Data were analyzed according to Riessman's narrative methodology (2008). Overall, participants viewed these friendships p... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848562 Sat, 21 May 2011 16:00:17 +0100 4848562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848561&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592004%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined the effects of two types of static overlay design (visual scene display and grid display) on 39 children's use of a speech-generating device during shared storybook reading with an adult. This pilot project included two groups: preschool children with typical communication skills (n = 26) and with complex communication needs (n = 13). All participants engaged in shared reading with two books using each visual layout on a speech-generating device (SGD). The children averaged a greater number of activations when presented with a grid display during introductory exploration and free play. There was a large effect of the static overlay design on the number of silent hits, evidencing more silent hits with visual scene displays. On average, the children demonstrated r... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848561 Sat, 21 May 2011 16:00:13 +0100 4848561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848560&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592005%26dopt%3DAbstract This study evaluated parents' use and experiences of the ComAlong communication boards, which were provided to them during a parental course on communication development, responsive strategies, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Quantitative and qualitative data was collected through a survey of 65 parents and an in-depth case study of four of the parents. Questionnaires, interviews, logbooks, and video recordings showed that parents used the ComAlong boards and experienced an increased understanding of augmentative and alternative communication. Most parents reported that their children showed an interest in the boards and that in some cases started to use the boards functionally in communication. Parents' views, in terms of gains and difficulties of using graphic commu... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848560 Sat, 21 May 2011 16:00:10 +0100 4848560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848559&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592006%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: PMID: 21592006 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848559 Sat, 21 May 2011 16:00:06 +0100 4848559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4793538&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524185%26dopt%3DAbstract This study looked at the vocabulary needed to disclose or report crime or abuse in South Africa, and also focussed on the development of communication boards for this purpose, in four of the 11 official South African languages (Afrikaans, English, Sepedi, and isiZulu). Thirty-six participants in four language-based focus groups (English, Afrikaans, Sepedi, and isiZulu) were asked to generate a list of possible words they deemed important when wanting to disclose a crime, abuse or neglect. Participants then prioritized the top 55 words. A total of 56 words appeared on two or more of the lists from the four language groups. The board was developed using Picture Communication Symbols (PCS), the most frequently used symbol set in South Africa, according to an electronic mail survey. A discrepa... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4793538 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4793538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565728&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21355808%26dopt%3DAbstract This article is a request for research towards the development of technologies that would give caregivers access to the autonomic physiological signals of individuals who are unable to communicate. It explores the hypothesis that meaningful manifestation of signals that change according to mental and emotional states will reveal individual personhood. We hypothesize that music is ideally suited as the basis of interaction with this population, and that physiologically driven musical expression is a form of individual biomusic that can enrich social interaction. PMID: 21355808 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565728 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4565728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565727&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21355809%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined listeners' endorsement of cognitive, linguistic, segmental, and suprasegmental strategies employed when listening to speakers with dysarthria. The study also examined whether strategy endorsement differed between listeners who earned the highest and lowest intelligibility scores. Speakers were eight individuals with dysarthria and cerebral palsy. Listeners were 80 individuals who transcribed speech stimuli and rated their use of each of 24 listening strategies on a 4-point scale. Results showed that cognitive and linguistic strategies were most highly endorsed. Use of listening strategies did not differ between listeners with the highest and lowest intelligibility scores. Results suggest that there may be a core of strategies common to listeners of speakers with dysarth... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565727 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4565727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565726&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21355810%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Leech ER, Cress CJ The present study investigated the effectiveness of prompted nonspoken language production using two low-tech AAC strategies (i.e., picture symbols and sign language) at indirectly facilitating speech productions in a young child with expressive language delays (?late talker?). A single subject, multiple baseline design was used. Results indicated that prompting either sign or picture-symbol production improved the child's speech output for target words without any direct prompts to speak, but that the two AAC strategies did not differ from one another in effectiveness at indirectly eliciting speech. The improvements associated with both strategies suggest that AAC can be a viable intervention tool to address improved speech in children with expressive delay... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565726 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4565726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565725&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21355811%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fujisawa K, Inoue T, Yamana Y, Hayashi H The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether participants with intellectual impairments could benefit from the movement associated with animated pictures while they were learning symbol names. Sixteen school students, whose linguistic-developmental age ranged from 38?91 months, participated in the experiment. They were taught 16 static visual symbols and the corresponding action words (naming task) in two sessions conducted one week apart. In the experimental condition, animation was employed to facilitate comprehension, whereas no animation was used in the control condition. Enhancement of learning was shown in the experimental condition, suggesting that the participants benefited from animated symbols. Furthermore, it w... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565725 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4565725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4452240&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21284561%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Trottier N, Kamp L, Mirenda P Supporting social interactions between students with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their typically developing peers presents many challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a peer-mediated intervention designed to teach two students with ASD to use speech-generating devices (SGDs) to engage in interactions with peers in a social context at school. Six peer confederates (three from each student with ASD's general education classroom) were taught to support SGD use during game activities. A multiple baseline design was used to examine the relationship between peer-mediated instruction and an increase in total communicative acts (CAs) by the two students with ASD. Results provide evidence that the confederates acqu... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4452240 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4452240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4452239&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21284562%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examines Prescription Review (PR), a model of teamwork practiced in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) centres in Ontario, Canada. PR is a process in which teams make decisions about AAC system recommendations. For this study, 92 out of 141 professionals working on AAC teams completed questionnaires measuring the benefits of PR. Findings suggest that PR is beneficial in the areas of learning, providing quality services, team support, and decision making. Participants reported satisfaction with the quality of treatment plan, the PR results, and process. Perceptions of PR were related to size of the teams, participants' years of experience, and the range of experience on teams. This study supports PR and highlights the importance of healthy working relationships. ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4452239 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4452239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4452238&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21284563%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ahmad Khan Z, Green P, Creer S, Cunningham S This case study describes the generation of a synthetic voice resembling that of an individual before she underwent a laryngectomy. Recordings of this person (6?7 min) speaking prior to the operation were used to create the voice. Synthesis was based on statistical speech models and this method allows models pre-trained on many speakers to be adapted to resemble an individual voice. The results of a listening test in which participants were asked to judge the similarity of the synthetic voice to the pre-operation (target) voice are reported. Members of the patient's family were asked to make a similar judgment. These experiments show that, for most listeners, the voice is quite convincing despite the low quality and small quantity o... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4452238 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4452238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4211664&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21091299%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sutton A PMID: 21091299 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4211664 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 21:15:48 +0100 4211664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4211663&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21091300%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pullin G, Higginbotham J PMID: 21091300 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4211663 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 21:15:40 +0100 4211663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4211662&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21091301%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hedvall PO, Rydeman B The purpose of this paper is to discuss and highlight how Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) can contribute to the understanding of the different factors at play when a person is using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). It is based on data from a 3-year project concerning activity-based vocabulary design of voice output communication aids (VOCAs). Four persons who used AAC and their assistants were interviewed about shopping activities and their views about a vocabulary that included pre-stored phrases. A CHAT model, the Activity Diamond, was applied in an analysis of the data. The result was a multiplicity of human, artifactual, and natural factors, in which six themes were identified: Attitude/Preference, Expectation/Trust, Goal/P... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4211662 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 21:15:33 +0100 4211662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4211661&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21091302%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sundqvist A, Rönnberg J The aim of this study was to introduce email as a form of interaction for a group of six children who used augmentative and alternative communication. In a 12-week exploratory study, aspects of the email messages sent were analyzed. The content of the messages was analyzed by an inductive qualitative method, and seven descriptive categories emerged. The most frequently occurring categories were Social Etiquette, Personal/Family Statistics and Personal Common Ground. The children utilized different email strategies that included use of most of the above-mentioned categories. Through the email writing practice, the children developed new social skills and increased their social participation. Email practice may be a good strategy to increase children's s... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4211661 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 21:15:26 +0100 4211661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4211660&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21091303%26dopt%3DAbstract This study described preliminary work with the Supplemented Speech Recognition (SSR) system for speakers with dysarthria. SSR incorporated automatic speech recognition optimized for dysarthric speech, alphabet supplementation, and word prediction. Participants included seven individuals with a range of dysarthria severity. Keystroke savings using SSR averaged 68.2% for typical sentences and 67.5% for atypical phrases. This was significantly different to using word prediction alone. The SSR correctly identified an average of 80.7% of target stimulus words for typical sentences and 82.8% for atypical phrases. Statistical significance could not be claimed for the relations between sentence intelligibility and keystroke savings or sentence intelligibility and system performance. The results su... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4211660 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 21:15:18 +0100 4211660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4211659&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21091304%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, individuals who use graphic-symbol AAC systems were asked to construct and interpret graphic-symbol sequences representing the same target content (simple and complex propositions). The majority of participants used stable response patterns on both tasks; a minority were inconsistent on both tasks. Asymmetrical patterns (stable on one task but not the other) were rare, suggesting that neither channel (construction or interpretation) preceded the other, in contrast to earlier findings with participants without disabilities (i.e., novice users of graphic symbols). Furthermore, there were differences between stable and less stable responders on measures of syntactic comprehension and cognitive level but not on chronological age, receptive vocabulary, or AAC system characteristi... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4211659 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 21:15:11 +0100 4211659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4120913&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20979429%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wallace SE, Hux K, Beukelman DR The researchers examined the effect of cognitive flexibility, image contextualization, and prompt type on accuracy and speed when adults with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) navigated dynamic screen augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interfaces. Eighteen participants formed two groups based on cognitive flexibility status. Given matching informative versus uninformative prompts and three image contextualization conditions, participants located words on 3-level AAC systems. ANOVA computations revealed differences between groups and between prompt types for navigation accuracy; differences occurred among image conditions and between prompt types for navigation speed. Analyses using responses from participants with cognitive flexi... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4120913 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4120913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4106519&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20969512%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Siu E, Tam E, Sin D, Ng C, Lam E, Chui M, Fong A, Lam L, Lam C A survey was conducted to understand the service provisions for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in Hong Kong. The response rates of special pre-school training centers and special schools were 59% and 71%, respectively. The response rate of adult settings was 18%. Results indicated that a higher proportion of students identified as having complex communication needs had access to AAC service provision in schools for children with intellectual and physical disabilities than those in special pre-school training centres and other types of special schools. Generalization of AAC service beyond the classroom setting remains problematic. Seventy-two percent of the respondents were dissatisfied with the tr... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4106519 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4106519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4106518&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20969513%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigated word intelligibility among sighted individuals and individuals with visual impairments for both natural and synthetic speech. Both groups of participants performed significantly better when identifying words presented via natural speech. The results also demonstrated that individuals with visual impairments were more successful than their sighted peers in understanding words presented via synthetic speech, with experience being the most critical factor in identifying words for the participants with visual impairments. Finally, the findings show the correlation between intelligibility and key factors such as age and the overall use of text-to-speech systems. PMID: 20969513 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4106518 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4106518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4024028&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20874078%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Van Balkom H, Verhoeven L The understanding of written or printed text or discourse - depicted either in orthographical, graphic-visual or tactile symbols - calls upon both bottom-up word recognition processes and top-down comprehension processes. Different architectures have been proposed to account for literacy processes. Research has shown that the first steps in perceiving, processing and deriving conceptual meaning from words, graphic symbols, manual signs, and co-speech gestures or tactile manual signing and tangible symbols can be seen as identical and collectively (sub)activated. Results from recent brain research and neurolinguistics have revealed new insights in the reading process of typical and atypical readers and may provide verifiable evidence for improved liter... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4024028 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4024028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4024027&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20874079%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Koppenhaver D, Williams A Studies addressing the cognitive processes of writing (i.e., planning, translating, reviewing, monitoring) as applied to individuals with complex communication needs were reviewed. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were identified through searching multiple electronic databases and summarized according to participants, cognitive process(es) addressed, tasks and measures, and principal findings. Twenty-five studies were identified in peer-reviewed journals, 12 of them descriptive studies of spelling abilities in augmentative communication, five addressing spelling intervention, and eight addressing other writing processes. Implications for intervention and future research are discussed. PMID: 20874079 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative an... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4024027 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4024027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4024026&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20874080%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Erickson K, Sachse S Research on reading in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is primarily provided for the English language, which has nontransparent orthographic depth and a complex syllable structure. While there is a great deal to learn about English reading in AAC, there is substantially more information regarding reading in AAC in English than in other languages. In this article we compare reading acquisition in English and German, drawing from the existing research regarding reading for children with complex communication needs and describing how that might apply to German and other European languages with orthography that is more consistent than English (e.g., Swedish, Spanish, Finnish; Aro & Wimmer, 2003 ). The goal is to support the development of ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4024026 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4024026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4024025&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20874081%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dahlgren Sandberg A, Smith M, Larsson M The over-representation of reading and spelling difficulties in children with complex communication needs has been well documented. However, most of the studies reported have indicated that at least some children using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can achieve and demonstrate effective literacy skills, highlighting the heterogeneity of this group. This paper presents findings from a cross-linguistic study of 14 Swedish and 14 Irish children with cerebral palsy who use AAC, outlining their performance on a range of phonological awareness, reading, and spelling tasks developed for the purposes of the study. All participants were referred to the study as functioning in the average range of intellectual ability. Of the 28 ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4024025 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4024025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4024024&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20874082%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: van der Schuit M, Segers E, van Balkom H, Stoep J, Verhoeven L The current study demonstrates the effectiveness of an intervention that addresses both home care and day care for children with intellectual disabilities while also taking the large individual differences between the children into account. The KLINc Studio intervention was designed to improve the language development, communication skills, and emergent literacy of 10 children with complex communication needs. The focus of the anchor-based intervention program was on the stimulation of vocabulary learning via the incorporation of AAC into the learning environment in the most natural manner possible. While all of the children showed significant progress across the intervention period of 2 years, the group of speakin... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4024024 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4024024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4024023&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20874083%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: PMID: 20874083 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4024023 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4024023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3608081&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20497070%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McCarthy JW, Donofrio-Horwitz LM, Smucker LM A Solomon Four-Group Design was used to study the effects of reading personal narratives written by an individual with complex communication needs on the attitudes, potential future behaviors, and general experiences of 109 undergraduate business majors. The Attitudes Toward Nonspeaking Persons Scale (ATNP) and a scale of behavioral intentions modeled according to Ajzen's ( 1991 ) Theory of Planned Behavior were used as dependent variables. A sub-group of individuals in the experimental group participated in individual follow-up interviews. Results revealed individuals who read the narratives had more positive attitudes than those who did not; however, there were potentially reactive effects for pre-testing evident on one subscale o... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3608081 Fri, 28 May 2010 20:12:22 +0100 3608081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3608080&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20497071%26dopt%3DAbstract "Communication is everything:" The experiences of volunteers who use AAC. Augment Altern Commun. 2010 Jun;26(2):75-86 Authors: Trembath D, Balandin S, Stancliffe RJ, Togher L The aim of this study was to explore the impact that using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) had on the experiences of 24 adults with lifelong disabilities who worked as volunteers. This research forms part of a larger qualitative study of volunteering amongst adults who use AAC. Based on in-depth interviews and grounded theory analysis, the results indicate that communication is central to successful volunteering and, in particular, that access to AAC has the potential to provide valuable support to individuals with complex communication needs who want to volunteer. However, a number of bar... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3608080 Fri, 28 May 2010 20:12:19 +0100 3608080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3608079&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20497072%26dopt%3DAbstract This study describes uptake of augmentative and alternative communication systems by adults with intellectual disabilities; their ability to self-report at interview; differences in self-reported loneliness experiences by communication mode; and predictors of loneliness. We analyzed National Core Indicators data from 26 US states involving over 13,000 service users grouped by primary means of expression: natural speech, gestures/body language, manual signs, or communication aid/device (aided AAC). Uptake of aided AAC was low; only 0.8% of participants used aided AAC as their primary means of expression. Valid interview responding was higher in turn for participants communicating with natural speech, aided AAC, and other modes. Almost half the participants were lonely, but loneliness did no... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3608079 Fri, 28 May 2010 20:12:17 +0100 3608079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3608078&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20497073%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Geytenbeek JJ, Heim MM, Vermeulen RJ, Oostrom KJ This paper describes the development of an instrument to assess comprehension of spoken language in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) who cannot speak, and for whom standard language assessment measures are not appropriate due to severe motor impairment. This instrument, the Computer-Based instrument for Low motor Language Testing (C-BiLLT), was administered to 42 children without disabilities (aged 14 months to 60 months) and to 18 children with severe CP (age 19 months to 71 months). Preliminary data showed that the instrument was acceptable to the children. Convergent validity was investigated by correlating C-BiLLT scores with test results on the well-established Reynell Developmental Language Scales (RDLS). Clinical ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3608078 Fri, 28 May 2010 20:12:14 +0100 3608078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3608077&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20497074%26dopt%3DAbstract This study assessed the ability of native speakers of French with no communication disorders from four age groups to interpret graphic-symbol sequences of varying length and canonicity. Results reveal that, as they get older, participants show an increase in their capacity to interpret graphic-symbol sequences. Constituent order played an important role in the interpretation of the sequences. However, the specific word-order strategies used varied depending on the age group and the type of sequence presented. PMID: 20497074 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3608077 Fri, 28 May 2010 20:12:11 +0100 3608077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3608076&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20497075%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Stoner JB, Angell ME, Bailey RL The purpose of this study was to describe a single case of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) implementation. Case study methodology was used to describe the perspectives of educational team members regarding AAC implementation for Joey, a high school junior with athetoid cerebral palsy. Benefits included greater intelligibility for Joey and subsequent comfort of the staff. Facilitators of Joey's AAC system use included the team's student-focused disposition and willingness to implement use of the device, Joey's increased intelligibility, peers' acceptance of the technology, and the resulting increase in Joey's socialization. Limited team cohesiveness, problem solving, and communication were the true barriers in this case. Implicat... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3608076 Fri, 28 May 2010 20:12:08 +0100 3608076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3608075&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20497076%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McFadd E, Wilkinson K For children with complex communication needs, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices offer a functional way to communicate thoughts and feelings. Despite many significant advances in the field, effective and efficient aided communication can remain a challenge for some clients and their partners. One critical element of aided AAC intervention is systematic attention to the design of the communication display itself. A well-designed display will foster communication outcomes; a poorly designed one might have the opposite effect. Surprisingly, to our knowledge there are no studies of the strategies that clinicians actually employ when putting together a display. In this research note, we examine, on a case-by-case basis, the strategies si... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3608075 Fri, 28 May 2010 20:12:05 +0100 3608075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335797&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20196699%26dopt%3DAbstract This study compared the operation of a dynamic-display AAC device in two instructional conditions: corrective feedback (CF) and dual-screen guidance (DSG). In the CF condition prompts/feedback were provided for incorrect responses; the DSG condition used errorless guided instruction only. Twenty-one children with typical development - ten 6-year-olds and 11 7-year-olds - were randomly assigned to one instructional condition and completed five sessions: three learning/testing, one generalization, and one maintenance. The children were required to reproduce visual sentence stimuli on the AAC device. Differences were found in accuracy and efficiency of 6- and 7-year-olds. The 7-year-olds were more accurate and quicker than the 6-year-olds. Differences due to instructional condition were obser... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335797 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3335797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335796&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20196700%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Drager KD, Light JC Iconic encoding, or the use of a sequence of icons to retrieve a word or phrase from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technologies, has previously been shown to be challenging for young children to learn to use. It is possible that the use of icon prediction may facilitate learning in such systems by providing additional visual cues. The goal of the current study was to determine the effect of using icon prediction on the performance of 5-year-old children with typical development who were learning to locate and generalize vocabulary prestored in AAC technologies using iconic encoding. Twenty 5-year-old children were introduced to 30 vocabulary items and asked to locate them using iconic encoding during four learning and testing sessions. Te... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335796 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3335796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335795&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20196701%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was designed to test the usability of WebAACcess, an accessibility enhancement tool designed to bypass some of the barriers to navigating the web. Using a repeated-measures research design, whereby subjects were their own controls, each of the 12 participants (7 with motor disabilities who used AAC and 5 peers without disabilities) navigated equivalent web pages using Internet Explorer alone and Internet Explorer with WebAACcess. Results consistently demonstrated that navigating using WebAACess with Internet Explorer was more efficient, easier, and equally effective for all of the participants than navigating with Internet Explorer alone. PMID: 20196701 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335795 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3335795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335794&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20196702%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Calculator SN, Black T This investigation examined the extent to which a set of 98 best practices in AAC, previously agreed upon by a panel of experts in AAC and inclusive education, reflected the actual preferences of 32 parents of children diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome. Parents' responses were examined in relation to whether their children were currently in mostly integrated (MI) settings with children without disabilities, or mostly segregated settings with other children with disabilities. With two exceptions, both groups, regardless of their children's current placements, viewed the practices favorably. When asked to prioritize the most important communication skills they wished their children to attain, all of the most frequently cited priorities were reflected in ite... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335794 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3335794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335793&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20196703%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined the role of color on rate and accuracy of identifying symbols on an 8-location overlay through the use of 3 color conditions (same, mixed and unique). Sixty typically developing preschool children were exposed to two different sequential exposures (Set 1 and Set 2). Participants searched for a target stimulus (either meaningful symbols or arbitrary forms) in a stimuli array. Findings indicated that the sequential exposures (orderings) impacted both time and accuracy for both types of symbols within specific instances. PMID: 20196703 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335793 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3335793 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335792&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20196704%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Collier B, McGhie-Richmond D, Self H This paper describes the results of a one-year intervention project that aimed to (a) learn about the communication supports required by people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) when accessing their communities, (b) develop and implement a funded communication assistant service as an accessibility support option for people who use AAC when communicating in their communities, (c) evaluate the impact of the communication assistant service on community access for people who use AAC, and (d) make recommendations relating to the role of communication assistants as an option for increasing communication access for people who use AAC in their communities. Nine people who use AAC participated in this project. The findings sug... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335792 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3335792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048556&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19925311%26dopt%3DAbstract This article reviews some of the recent literature on the impact of iconicity on symbol recognition and use by typically developing children and relates those findings to people with severe disability. It seems that although iconicity may have some impact on symbol learning, there are other variables that are likely to be much more important. It is likely that iconicity is not helpful to those learning graphic symbols who have little or no comprehension of spoken language. PMID: 19925311 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048556 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:36:03 +0100 3048556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048555&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19925312%26dopt%3DAbstract This study reports on a group intervention using a semiscripted book reading routine implemented by a teacher in a classroom for students with severe intellectual disabilities. Student use of line drawings was observed over the course of the intervention. Students' abilities to match words, line drawings, book illustrations, and real objects were assessed weekly. There were differences between baseline and intervention performances for all students, and these differences were particularly noticeable for one student. PMID: 19925312 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048555 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:36:03 +0100 3048555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048554&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19925313%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: PMID: 19925313 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048554 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:36:03 +0100 3048554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989985&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19903133%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schlosser RW, Sigafoos J An important part of evidence-based practice is to identify the best and most current research evidence to guide clinical practice. The purpose of this paper is to propose the use of the 5-S model by Haynes ( 2006 ) as a principled approach for navigating evidence-based information sources related to interventions in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The 5-S model is a pyramid that is used from the top down, beginning with systems followed by summaries, synopses, syntheses, and studies. The 5-S model is described along with relevant evidence-based information sources in AAC, and subsequently illustrated with a case scenario. Following the 5-S model may enable practitioners to identify the best and most current research evidence. PMI... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989985 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:20:08 +0100 2989985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989984&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19903134%26dopt%3DAbstract This study is partially based on the study by Quist et al. ( 1998 ), which utilized Dutch and American participants. Thirty-four Setswana children were exposed to 93 selected Blissymbols. A 3-point semantic differential scale consisting of three faces accompanied each Blissymbol, without the written gloss. This procedure was repeated over a period of 3 days. The results indicated that the majority of Blissymbols were rated as having high translucency ratings. The research further demonstrated significant differences in translucency between first and second exposures, suggesting that learning of the symbols had occurred. The comparison between the results of the current study and the results reported in the Quist et al. study reveal that the translucency ratings of the majority of the selec... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989984 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:20:05 +0100 2989984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2959506&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883285%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigated the use of PECS with three young boys with autism to determine the impact of PECS training on use of pictures for requesting, use of intelligible words, and maladaptive behaviors. A multiple baseline-probe design with a staggered start was implemented. Results indicated that all of the participants quickly learned to make requests using pictures and that two used intelligible speech following PECS instruction; maladaptive behaviors were variable throughout baseline and intervention phases. Although all of the participants improved in at least one dependent variable, there remain questions regarding who is best suited for PECS and similar interventions. PMID: 19883285 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2959506 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2959506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2959505&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883286%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Iacono T, Cameron M Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in early childhood intervention are expected to have knowledge and skills across a number of areas and to engage in evidence-based practice. We explored the knowledge and perceptions of SLPs working with young children within Australian early childhood settings about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), evidence-based practice, and barriers to such practice. Fourteen clinicians participated in group or individual interviews. Thematic analysis of the transcripts of these discussions revealed that they had a broad view of AAC and its benefits. Their reported assessment and intervention approaches reflected best practice as documented in the literature. The exception was in the implementation of family-c... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2959505 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2959505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2959504&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883287%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Branson D, Demchak M This review sought to determine the evidence base of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) use with infants and toddlers with disabilities. The review identified 12 studies, involving 190 participants aged 36 months or younger. The majority of the studies investigated unaided AAC methods (e.g., gestures or sign language), with 42% of the studies also including aided AAC methods. Although all studies reported improvement in child communication following AAC intervention, in-depth analyses of study methodology indicated that only 7 out of 12 provided conclusive evidence. Implications for early intervention AAC practice and suggestions for future research are proposed. PMID: 19883287 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Augmentative and... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2959504 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2959504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2959503&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883288%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Reily L, Panhan H, Tupinambá A This paper presents and analyzes a finding that gives evidence of the use of a low-tech communication device long before the formal establishment of the field of augmentative and alternative communication. The device, a simple low-tech alphabet board, is portrayed in a 1920 painting of World War I veterans by German Expressionist Otto Dix. Entitled "War Cripples," the painting shows one of the veterans, who sustained severe disfigurement and jaw mutilation resulting in speech loss, pointing to a letter on a chart pinned to his uniform. The analysis of the painting utilized Aby Warburg's methodology for researching the significance of images within the cultural context in which they are produced. PMID: 19883288 [PubMed - as supplied by pu... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2959503 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2959503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2959502&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883289%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cannella-Malone HI, Debar RM, Sigafoos J Selecting an appropriate mode of communication is an important clinical decision when beginning an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention. In the present study, we investigated whether two boys with significant intellectual disabilities would show a preference for using one of three AAC devices. Initially, the boys were taught to use three AAC devices (i.e., Cyrano Communicator, Mini-MessageMate, and a Picture Communication Board) using a multiple-probe-across-devices design. One participant was successful with only one device, while the other was successful in acquiring basic use of all three devices (i.e., making a request using the device and demonstrating correspondence between the picture icon and item reques... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2959502 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2959502 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2658440&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19639478%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Smith JL, McCarthy JW, Benigno JP Joint attention is critical for language development in children. Children with complex communication needs have additional challenges in managing their joint attention, and there is minimal information on how to reduce these demands. Sixteen infants without disabilities and their caregivers participated in a within-subjects design with two storybook reading interactions. In reading, the researcher either held a high-tech AAC system directly in front of herself (aligned with eye-gaze) or to the side (divided from eye-gaze). The frequency and duration of coordinated and passive joint attention episodes were analyzed. The aligned condition resulted in significantly greater frequency and duration of coordinated joint attention than passive joint ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2658440 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2658440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2591945&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19591004%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cooper L, Balandin S, Trembath D Young adults with cerebral palsy who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems may be at increased risk of loneliness due to the additional challenges they experience with communication. Six young adults, aged 24-30 years, who used AAC and had cerebral palsy, participated in in-depth interviews to explore their experiences of loneliness as they made the transition into adulthood. A total of five major themes in the data were identified using the constant comparative method of analysis. Three of these themes were discussed by all participants: (a) Support Networks, (b) AAC System Use, and (c) Technology. The authors concluded that these three themes were most important in understanding the experiences of loneliness of the youn... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2591945 Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2591945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542922&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19544104%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ratcliff A, Sutton BA, Lehman M The purpose of this investigation was to conduct an analysis of a set of metrics developed for comparing features of software used in speech generating devices (SGD) for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). These metrics - measures of speed, efficiency, and accuracy - were employed during a sentence reconstruction task. Twenty two participants without disabilities reconstructed nine sentences using each of three SGD software programs, counterbalanced to remove order effects. Results revealed differences in the metrics across the software programs that were supported by a social validation survey completed by the participants. These results provide benchmark data about relative speed, accuracy, and efficiency of these software progra... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542922 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542921&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19544105%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined the reliability of new SGDs and found that mean time to first failure was 42.7 (SD = 41.2) weeks and at least 40% required repairs within the first year of use. The components that most frequently broke down were touch screens, wiring, main boards, batteries, memory cards, and AC adaptors. The costs of repairing SGDs were analyzed. The clinical implications of device breakdown are identified for key stakeholders, including clients, families, service providers, funding agencies, and manufacturers. PMID: 19544105 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542921 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542933&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19444679%26dopt%3DAbstract This article reports on the subjective data gathered from an experimental evaluation of Converser's efficacy (see Wisenburn and Higginbotham, 2008 for a full description of Converser and the objective results). Converser was evaluated in two communication tasks (a Conversation and an Interview task) under two conditions: a simple alphabet board without Converser (alpha-only condition), and an identical board with Converser (alpha-Converser condition). Subjective data was gathered through rating questionnaires and written comments. Program users rated the speed of communication faster in the alpha-Converser condition. Program user ratings of quality, and speaking partner ratings of speed and quality, showed no difference between the two conditions; however, the participant comments about Co... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542933 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542932&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19444680%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hanson EK, Sundheimer C Telephone interaction remains a challenging form of communication for many who use speech-generating devices (SGDs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of delayed starts and floorholder information at the beginning of synthesized-speech telephone calls to local businesses. Calls were placed to 100 randomly selected businesses asking for business hours. Each call was randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions: a floorholder present with no delay, a floorholder present with a delay, floorholder absent and no delay, and floorholder absent with a delay. Overall, 76% of the calls were unsuccessful because the participant hung up or otherwise did not provide the information requested. The majority of successful calls occurre... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542932 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542931&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19444681%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sigafoos J, Green VA, Payne D, Son SH, O'Reilly M, Lancioni GE Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) includes picture exchange (PE) and speech-generating devices (SGD), but these two systems have rarely been compared. We therefore conducted three studies comparing PE and SGD for an adolescent boy with a developmental disability. Study 1 compared acquisition of a PE- and SGD-based requesting response and monitored the effects on social interaction. For Study 2, both communication modes were made simultaneously available and the child could choose to use either PE or the SGD. For Study 3, only PE intervention continued, with the distance between the child and trainer systematically increased to prompt social interaction. The results showed equally rapid acquisition of... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542931 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542928&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19444682%26dopt%3DAbstract "All children can and should have the opportunity to learn": general education teachers' perspectives on including children with autism spectrum disorder who require AAC. Augment Altern Commun. 2009 Jun;25(2):110-22 Authors: Finke EH, McNaughton DB, Drager KD A qualitative online focus group methodology was used to investigate the experiences of five elementary school teachers (grades K-5) who had included in their general education classrooms children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who required augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Information was obtained from the participants in the following areas: (a) the benefits of educational inclusion, (b) the negative impacts of educational inclusion, (c) the challenges of educational inclusion, (d) the supports for ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542928 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542928 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542927&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19444683%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Johnston SS, Davenport L, Kanarowski B, Rhodehouse S, McDonnell AP The purpose of this study was to provide a preliminary examination of an intervention strategy designed to teach sound-letter correspondence and spelling of consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) combinations to young children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). A multiple baseline probe design across behaviors was used to assess the effects of the intervention on the percentage of correct responses provided by two participants on the target skills during free-choice play activities in the literacy center of inclusive classrooms. The results of this study provide preliminary support for the use of the intervention strategy within inclusive classrooms. PMID: 19444683 [PubMed - in process] (Sou... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542927 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542925&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19444684%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Johnston SS, Buchanan S, Davenport L The purpose of this study was to compare two conditions for teaching two children with autism (ages 4;10 and 5;4) who used Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to point to the printed letter that corresponded to the spoken letter sounds of /t/ and /m/. In one condition (gradual array), the printed letter was first presented in isolation and then distracter letters were gradually introduced. In the other condition (fixed array), the printed letter was immediately presented in combination with seven distracter letters. Using an alternating treatment design, results revealed that the fixed array condition resulted in a faster rate of acquisition of target skills for both participants. Implications and directions for future research... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542925 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2267224&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19280418%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Balandin S, Stancliffe RJ PMID: 19280418 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2267224 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2267224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2267218&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19280419%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McCarthy J PMID: 19280419 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2267218 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2267218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2267211&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19280420%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Von Berg S, Panorska A, Uken D, Qeadan F The intelligibility, likeability, and speech presentation rates for two types of popular synthesized speech, DECtalk and VeriVox, were investigated across four age groups ranging from 6-85 years old. Results for all age groups revealed differences in intelligibility between synthesized adult and child voices, with intelligibility scores for child synthesized voices significantly below those for adult synthesized voices. The most popular synthesized voices were from the VeriVox family. Of interest is that preferred speech presentation rate, expressed as mean words per minute, increased as a function of age, with the oldest listeners preferring the fastest speech presentation rate. This is inconsistent with previous studies that have inve... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2267211 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2267211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2267205&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19280421%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fitzgerald MM, Sposato B, Politano P, Hetling J, O'Neill W Three infrared head-controlled mouse emulators (HeadMouse Extreme, Tracker Pro and Tracker Inside) were paired with an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device (Pathfinder) and tested for speed and accuracy in three different light conditions. Eleven participants tested the systems, entering a list of common statements used by AAC users. The Language Activity Monitor (LAM) recorded all selections made. The data were analyzed for error rate and selection rate. The results revealed that (a) in a single light condition, the different mouse emulators performed significantly differently from each other, (b) in general, a single mouse emulator performed consistently across all light conditions, and (c) the ext... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2267205 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2267205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2267197&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19280422%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigated the effects of the match between color and shape of line drawings and the objects they represented on drawing recognition and use. The match or non-match between color and shape of the objects and drawings did not have an effect on participants' ability to match drawings to objects, or to use drawings to make choices. PMID: 19280422 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2267197 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2267197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2267182&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19280423%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Higginbotham DJ, Beukelman D, Blackstone S, Bryen D, Caves K, Deruyter F, Jakobs T, Light J, McNaughton D, Moulton B, Shane H, Williams MB Transferring innovative technologies from the university to the manufacturing sector can often be an elusive and problematic process. The Rehabilitation and Engineering Research Center on Communication Enhancement (AAC-RERC) has worked with the manufacturing community for the last 10 years. The purpose of this article is to discuss barriers to technology transfer, to outline some technology transfer strategies, and to illustrate these strategies with AAC-RERC related activities. PMID: 19280423 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2267182 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2267182 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1981970&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19023749%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined abilities of three individuals with chronic non-fluent aphasia (NA) using a dynamic display AAC device to enhance communication. The device, Dialect with Speaking Dynamically Pro, was tailored to each participant's skill level using a treatment protocol adapted from Koul, Corwin, and Hayes (2005). The primary caregiver was the spouse. Pre and post-treatment measures revealed improvement in quality and effectiveness of communication for all participants. Improved linguistic and cognitive functioning was observed for two participants. Results are discussed relative to use of a device with other adults with chronic NA. PMID: 19023749 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1981970 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:37:53 +0100 1981970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1981969&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19023750%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Clendon SA, Erickson KA One of the greatest challenges facing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) professionals is providing children with complex communication needs with access to the vocabulary that they need in order to develop mature language and literacy abilities. The purpose of this study was to analyze the vocabulary used by typically developing early-elementary children in the United States and New Zealand when they write about self-selected topics, in order to inform practices with children with complex communication needs. The children's writing samples were compared across school ages and countries. The school age comparisons highlighted the relatively restricted range of vocabulary used by children in the earliest stages of writing development, and t... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1981969 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:37:53 +0100 1981969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1981968&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19023751%26dopt%3DAbstract This study explored whether vocabulary needed to participate in six adult roles currently existed in three widely used symbol sets. Electronic mailing lists were used to generate words needed for each adult role. From these vocabulary sets, discrepancy analyses were conducted to determine whether symbols or symbol combinations in each of the symbol sets studied could represent those words. Results suggest that, overall, an average of 55% of the identified words was currently available in these symbol sets. The need for easily accessible vocabulary that reflects socially-valued adult roles is discussed. PMID: 19023751 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1981968 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:37:53 +0100 1981968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1981967&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19023752%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Visser N, Alant E, Harty M The purpose of this study was to investigate which graphic symbols are perceived by typically developing 4-year-old children as the best representation of four basic emotions. Participants were asked to respond to questions by using graphic symbols taken from PCStrade mark, PICSYMStrade mark, and Makatontrade mark for four basic emotions: happy, sad, afraid, angry. The purpose was to determine which graphic symbol the children selected as a representation of an emotion. Frequencies of choices per symbol were obtained and the different symbols were analysed in terms of facial features that distinguish them from each other. The most preferred symbol per emotion was also identified. Results showed that children recognized the emotion happy with more eas... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1981967 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:37:53 +0100 1981967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1981966&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19023753%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shepherd TA, McDougall S Libraries for All is a community-based program that aims to enhance communication access to the library for individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), by providing resources and instruction. The goals are to (a) provide communication boards, (b) complete facilitator training, and (c) promote the program. To accomplish these goals, four communication boards were created and provided to all public libraries in London, Ontario. A train-the-trainer model was employed to ensure that all members of the library staff were familiar with the boards and aware of strategies to communicate more effectively with individuals who use AAC. Marketing materials were sent to potential stakeholders. The success of the program in meeting these th... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1981966 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:37:53 +0100 1981966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1848732&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18830908%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Light J, McNaughton D PMID: 18830908 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1848732 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:55:48 +0100 1848732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1848731&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18830909%26dopt%3DAbstract "Reach for the Stars": Five Principles for the Next 25 Years of AAC. Augment Altern Commun. 2008;24(3):194-206 Authors: Williams MB, Krezman C, McNaughton D Basing our work on the published writings of individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and their family members, we offer five principles to guide AAC assessment, intervention, research, and development: (a) The time for AAC is now; (b) One is never enough; (c) My AAC must fit my life; (d) AAC must support full participation in all aspects of 21st century life; and (e) Nothing about me without me. These five principles are individually important, but also interconnected, and are meant to provide clear goals for the field of AAC as we work towards the achievement of communication and participation ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1848731 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:55:48 +0100 1848731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1848730&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18830910%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Granlund M, Bjorck-Akesson E, Wilder J, Ylven R Interventions that focus on implementing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies and methods have been available to children in need of AAC and their families for at least 30 years. To date, most of the research that has considered AAC in family settings has been focused on gathering evidence of the effects of AAC interventions, rather than on implementing evidence-based strategies in everyday practice to improve outcomes. The purpose of this article is to discuss the research that has focused on parents as AAC interventionists, the family as a context for AAC intervention, and the effects of AAC interventions on children and other family members. The discussion is framed within the four steps associated with ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1848730 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:55:48 +0100 1848730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1848729&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18830911%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mirenda P The conventional view is that most individuals with autism or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) have no significant motor impairments but do have severe intellectual disabilities. These assumptions impact the nature and types of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions that are typically provided, which tend to be narrowly focused on basic, functional communication skills such as requesting. However, recent research has provided evidence that challenges these assumptions and suggests the potential of intervention approaches targeting motor, language, and literacy development. The author encourages practitioners and researchers to examine current assumptions about autism and to invent and investigate new ways to s... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1848729 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:55:48 +0100 1848729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1848728&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18830912%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Todman J, Alm N, Higginbotham J, File P Increased communication rate has long been a goal of both individuals who use AAC and device manufacturers. There is evidence that utterance-based approaches have the potential to deliver faster rates without loss of coherence. An overview of the historical development of devices that embody such approaches is set out here. This account focuses on the theoretical origins of utterance-based devices (UBDs) and the range of approaches that these have produced. Next, the issue of a causal relationship between conversational rate and positive attributions is addressed. Three recent studies supporting a causal relationship are described, followed by an account of a direct comparison between a UBD and a word construction system in office enviro... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1848728 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:55:48 +0100 1848728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1848727&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18830913%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Beukelman DR, Ball LJ, Fager S A personnel framework designed to support people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) because of acquired medical conditions and those who assist them is described. The roles of AAC finders, general practice clinicians, AAC intervention specialists, AAC facilitators, and AAC experts are summarized. These roles are described in detail for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, brainstem impairment, and severe chronic aphasia. The personnel preparation needs for each of these support personnel groups are identified. PMID: 18830913 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1848727 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:55:48 +0100 1848727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588810&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18256961%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: PMID: 18256961 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588810 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:20:28 +0100 1588810 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588809&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18256962%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Clarke M, Wilkinson R This paper is the second in a series of two that examine interactions between children with cerebral palsy who have complex communication needs and use voice output communication aids (VOCAs) and their naturally speaking peers. The current study expands on the analysis from the companion paper by exploring how problems emerge for naturally speaking children in understanding initiated VOCA-mediated turns. Conversation Analysis (CA) is used as a method for exploring the children's practices in organizing conversations into two dyads. The relationship between the sequential organization of the children's talk and the understanding of initiated VOCA-mediated turns is emphasized. Implications for clinical intervention are discussed. PMID: 18256962 [PubMed ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588809 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:20:28 +0100 1588809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588808&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18256963%26dopt%3DAbstract "A child needs to be given a chance to succeed": Parents of individuals who use AAC describe the benefits and challenges of learning AAC technologies. Augment Altern Commun. 2008;24(1):43-55 Authors: McNaughton D, Rackensperger T, Benedek-Wood E, Krezman C, Williams MB, Light J Seven parents of individuals with cerebral palsy who used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices participated in a focus group discussion on the benefits and challenges of learning AAC technology. The focus group was conducted on the Internet over a 9-week period. Six major themes emerged from the discussion: (a) issues in the selection of AAC technology; (b) knowledge and skills needed to use AAC technology; (c) barriers to learning AAC technology; (d) teaching the individual; (e) educ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588808 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:20:28 +0100 1588808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588807&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18256964%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Soto G, Yu B, Kelso J Children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) have been found to experience difficulties in the elicited generation of both personal and fictional narratives. The purpose of this single case study was to evaluate the effects of a multifaceted intervention program designed to support the development of autonomous narrative skills in children who used AAC. The relationship between exposure to the intervention program and increases in the narrative skills of the focus child was investigated using a single case, multiple probe baseline design. Results indicate that the narratives of the focus child improved in both linguistic and story complexity following intervention. Implications of these findings are discussed in light of the specific ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588807 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:20:28 +0100 1588807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588806&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18465363%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ganz JB, Sigafoos J, Simpson RL, Cook KE Nonverbal individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often require the use of picture-based, aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Such systems are used widely, but little research has investigated the generalization of these devices to a variety of communicative partners and under a variety of conditions. We investigated use of a modified Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) protocol to teach AAC-supported functional communication skills to a 12-year-old boy with autism. Results indicate that the participant was able to generalize his communication skills across a variety of instructors and to use functional non-verbal strategies to respond to communication obstacles. PMID: 18465363 [PubMed -... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588806 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:20:28 +0100 1588806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588805&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18465364%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wisenburn B, Higginbotham DJ The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a computer program, Converser, which uses the speech recognition of the speaking partner to predict contextually appropriate utterances and to store relevant noun phrases. The dyads (which consisted of a program user and a speaking partner) tested Converser in two communication tasks: a conversation and an interview. Two conditions were applied: A simple communication aid with an alphabet layout without Converser (alpha-only condition), and an identical aid with Converser (alpha-converser condition). Objective measurements were made concerning the program user's rate and Converser usage. The results showed that the alpha-converser condition generated a faster communication rate than the alph... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588805 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:20:28 +0100 1588805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588804&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18465365%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hemsley B, Balandin S, Togher L This paper describes the outcomes of a pilot study examining the roles of the moderator and participants in one focus group of six adults with complex communication needs. In the group, participants used a variety of communication methods including AAC and dysarthric speech. An analysis of the focus group interaction revealed that (a) both the moderator and participants played an active role in clarifying and repairing communication in the group, and (b) the group interacted successfully to discuss the focus group questions. The implications of the study for moderators and including adults with complex communication needs in focus groups are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested. PMID: 18465365 [PubMed - in process] (So... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588804 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:20:28 +0100 1588804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588803&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18465366%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Binger C, Light J A research review of 31 studies pertaining to the morphology and syntax of individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and who had severe speech and physical impairments (SSPI) was completed. Results suggest that, although many individuals who use AAC exhibit comprehension and expression of a wide range of grammatical structures, these individuals are at risk for experiencing grammar deficits. A wide range of individual differences was noted, both within and across many of the investigations. One of the more robust findings was that individuals tended to produce shorter utterances when they used graphic symbol-based AAC systems than would be expected, based on participant profiles; however, there appeared to be a developmental trend t... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588803 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:20:28 +0100 1588803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588802&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18465367%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Larsson M, Sandberg AD Phonological memory is central to language and reading and writing skills. Many children with complex communication needs (CCN) experience problems with reading and writing acquisition. The reason could be because of the absence of articulatory ability, which might have a negative affect on phonological memory. Phonological and visuo-spatial short-term memory and working memory were tested in 15 children with CCN, aged 5 - 12 years, and compared to children with natural speech matched for gender, and mental and linguistic age. Results indicated weaker phonological STM and visuo-spatial STM and WM in children with CCN. The lack of articulatory ability could be assumed to affect subvocal rehearsal and, therefore, phonological memory which, in turn, may aff... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588802 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:20:28 +0100 1588802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588801&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18465368%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined the effects of using messages with conversational rule violations on attitudes toward people who used utterance-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems in transactional interactions. Specifically, the ratings were compared across messages with relevance, informativeness, and brevity violations, when latency remained constant (i.e., short). The 96 participating sales clerks viewed scripted, videotaped bookstore conversations and completed an attitude questionnaire. Results indicated that the prestored message with repeated words/phrases was rated the highest, followed by the message with excessive information; next was the message with inadequate information, followed by the message with partly relevant information. The findings may be useful to th... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588801 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:20:28 +0100 1588801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588800&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18465369%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined the conditions under which action representations - presented in both static and dynamic formats - were most readily identified. Preschoolers without disabilities selected graphics corresponding to a spoken word from a computerized four-choice array. Although pre-tests confirmed that the children had all of the stimulus words in their lexical repertoires, their demonstration of that knowledge when the stimuli were presented in graphical form was less robust. The children were generally more challenged by the static representations than the dynamic ones, and their performances were most accurate with the most realistic dynamic representations. A developmental effect was noted, as children's symbol identification became more accurate across the range of representational f... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588800 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:20:28 +0100 1588800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588813&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17999245%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Larsson I, Thorén-Jönsson AL Until recently, people with complex communication needs have had no access to professional interpreters. The Swedish Speech Interpretation Service (SSIS) is attempting to address this problem. This qualitative study reports on how 12 persons with aphasia experienced the services of a professional interpreter from the SSIS. The results are presented in two themes: (a) The purpose of using an interpreter, which addresses issues relating to autonomy, privacy, and burden on family members; and (b) perceptions of quality of service, which addresses issues relating to the skills and professionalism of and accessibility to interpreters. Results highlight the ongoing need for the SSIS and its importance to the participants. The professional inter... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588813 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588813 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588812&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17999246%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Clarke M, Wilkinson R This paper is the first in a series of two that use the principles and practices of Conversation Analysis (CA) in an examination of voice output communication aid (VOCA) use in two conversations, each involving a child with cerebral palsy with complex communication needs who used a VOCA and a peer without complex communication needs. The primary theme of this paper concerns how VOCA use is incorporated into children's peer interactions. A significant feature of each dyad is the way in which naturally speaking partners organized specific locations within the conversation for the production of VOCA-mediated turns. Such practices provide frameworks within which VOCA-mediated contributions can be understood. Issues concerned with asymmetries in children's pee... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588812 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588812 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588811&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17999247%26dopt%3DAbstract This article describes the earlier International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH), upon which the current ICF was based; and outlines the ICF and the preliminary, derived Child and Youth version of the ICF (ICF-CY). The article also proposes what the ICF has to offer the AAC field, from both a clinical and research perspective; and concludes with a discussion of the advantages and challenges of using the ICF. PMID: 17999247 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588811 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588814&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17882626%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jagaroo V, Wilkinson K Current augmentative and alternative communication technologies allow animation within visual symbol displays. Clinicians therefore have the option of incorporating motion-based effects into AAC displays. Yet there is no research in the field of AAC to guide this clinical decision-making, in terms of the number or types of animated symbols that would best suit specific communication needs. A great deal is known within the discipline of cognitive neuroscience about how humans perceive motion, however. In this paper we propose that the field of AAC might exploit these known principles of motion perception, and we identify some potential uses of different types of motion. The discussion is presented within the context of neuro-cognitive theory concerning th... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588814 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588827&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17701739%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Blackstone SW, Williams MB, Wilkins DP Six principles of AAC research and practice are offered for consideration and discussion within the AAC community. Principle 1 requires the active participation of individuals with complex communication needs (CCN) in all AAC activities. Principle 2 seeks to ensure that theoretical constructs underlying research and development in AAC are grounded, widely accepted, and clearly defined. Principle 3 underscores the need to use ergonomics in the design and development of AAC technologies and instructional strategies. Principle 4 highlights communication partners and the unique roles they play in AAC. Principle 5 accentuates the need to focus on societal roles, relationships, and opportunities made possible by AAC technologies and services. F... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588827 Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588826&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17701740%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Light J, Drager K Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technologies offer the potential to provide children who have complex communication needs with access to the magic and power of communication. This paper is intended to (a) summarize the research related to AAC technologies for young children who have complex communication needs; and (b) define priorities for future research to improve AAC technologies and interventions for children with complex communication needs. With the realization of improved AAC technologies, young children with complex communication needs will have better tools to maximize their development of communication, language, and literacy skills, and attain their full potential. PMID: 17701740 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Augment... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588826 Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588825&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17701741%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McNaughton D, Bryen DN In this paper we review published research describing the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to support societal participation by adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities who require AAC. We focus on three major participation domains: post-secondary education and training, the workplace, and community living and social interaction opportunities. Based on the findings of the review, we highlight five needed areas of research and development related to AAC technology: face to face communication; distance communication and interconnectivity; training and support for system use; adapted applications and cognitive tools; and supports for independent operation, development, and maintenance. PMID: 17701741 [PubMed - indexe... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588825 Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588824&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17701742%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Beukelman DR, Fager S, Ball L, Dietz A The purpose of this review is to describe the state of the science of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for adults with acquired neurogenic communication disorders. Recent advances in AAC for six groups of people with degenerative and chronic acquired neurological conditions are detailed. Specifically, the topics of recent AAC technological advances, acceptance, use, limitations, and future needs of individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), brainstem impairment, severe, chronic aphasia and apraxia of speech, primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and dementia are discussed. PMID: 17701742 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588824 Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588823&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17701743%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Higginbotham DJ, Shane H, Russell S, Caves K Historically, access in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been conceptualized as the physical operation of AAC technologies; more recently, research and development in the cognitive and social sciences has helped to broaden the concept to include a range of human factors involved in the successful use of AAC technologies in social interactions. The goal of this article is to expand the current understanding of communication access by providing a conceptual framework for examining AAC access, evaluating recent scientific and technical advances in the areas of AAC, and discussing the challenges to accessing AAC technologies for a range of communication activities. PMID: 17701743 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (S... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588823 Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588822&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17701744%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: DeRuyter F, McNaughton D, Caves K, Bryen DN, Williams MB The availability of new technologies has changed how we control devices, exchange information, and communicate with others. Significant barriers, however, have prevented many individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) from accessing the technology and computer-based activities available in today's "Information Society." In this paper we discuss the benefits and challenges to increased interoperability between AAC and mainstream technologies. We outline suggested roles and activities for six stakeholder groups: (a) individuals who use AAC, (b) individuals who assist in selecting and supporting use of AAC devices, (c) AAC researchers, (d) AAC device manufacturers, (e) mainstream application develo... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588822 Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588819&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17852054%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lund SK, Light J In order to improve outcomes for individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), it is important to understand what factors contribute to or detract from positive outcomes. Seven young men who had used AAC systems for at least 15 years, their family members, and professionals who had worked with them, participated in the study. Qualitative interviews were used to identify contextual factors that may have contributed (both positively and negatively) to the young men's outcomes. Factors that impeded positive outcomes included: attitude barriers, cultural differences, technological barriers, and service delivery limitations. Contributions to positive outcomes included: community support, parent and family support, personal characteristics, a... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588819 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588820&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17852053%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Erickson KA, Clendon SA, Cunningham JW, Spadorcia S, Koppenhaver DA, Sturm J, Yoder DE In the current study, the validity of a task designed to assess the automatic word recognition skills of persons with complex communication needs was investigated. A total of 78 students without communication impairments in kindergarten through second grade completed a standard automatic word recognition task requiring oral reading of words presented for less than 0.25 s. The same students completed an experimental word recognition task that did not require a spoken response. Results support the validity of the experimental task. For example, the mean performance scores on both tasks decreased in the expected direction, and there was a significant correlation between the standard and experim... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588820 Tue, 03 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588818&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17852055%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Burke R, Wassink K, Martin T, Seikel AJ Survivors of traumatic brain injury often lose their ability to use natural speech to communicate and then rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Survivors may also have concomitant cognitive communication disorders that negatively impact memory and organization skills. AAC devices need to incorporate a word retrieval organization strategy that is fast and effective. The current study compared the conditions of topic, place, and alphabet for message recognition. The participants were asked a delayed recall question to elicit a communicative response. Results showed that alphabet is significantly more accurate than place and significantly faster than place and topic. However, participants chose to retrieve words... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588818 Tue, 03 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588818 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588816&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17852057%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined children's preferences and priorities for the design of assistive technologies to enhance communication for children with complex communication needs. Six children without disabilities were provided with drawing and craft materials and were asked to develop low-tech prototypes of inventions to support the communication of a young child who had significant speech and motor impairments. The design process and the inventions were analyzed using qualitative methods. Results showed that the children's inventions differed significantly from the designs of current AAC technologies. Their inventions were not simply speech prostheses; rather, they integrated multiple functions (e.g., communication, social interaction, companionship, play, artistic expression, telecommunications)... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588816 Sat, 16 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588815&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17852058%26dopt%3DAbstract "I have chosen to live life abundantly": Perceptions of leisure by adults who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Augment Altern Commun. 2007 Jun 11;:1-13 Authors: Dattilo J, Estrella G, Estrella LJ, Light J, McNaughton D, Seabury M An online focus group was used to investigate perceptions of eight adults with cerebral palsy who used AAC systems about their recreation activities and leisure experiences. Six themes emerged from discussions on benefits of leisure and community recreation: improved physical health, enjoyment, improved mental health, increased independence, enhanced social connections, and education of society. Nine barriers to leisure participation were identified including: personal, social, communication, technology, financial, accessibility, safety,... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588815 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588834&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17487624%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McCarthy J, Light J, McNaughton D Individuals with disabilities who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems typically face considerable challenges in their educational, vocational, and living situations. Developing effective problem solving skills is important to maximizing outcomes. Current problem-solving programs do not address the unique needs of individuals who use AAC in terms of instructional content and instructional format. The current study implemented a single-subject, multiple probe across subjects design to investigate the effects of an online instructional program designed to teach problem solving to young adults who use AAC. The participants were taught to: (a) describe the problem; (b) outline many possible solutions to the problem; (c)... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588834 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588833&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17487625%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ellis V Preverbal and non-speaking children are able to share an experience, recount an event, and tell a story in collaboration with an intimate adult who provides the words. These children's narrative expressions take the form of gestures, sounds not recognizable as standard language, the combination of sounds and gestures, and sequenced actions. These narrative forms are understood by the parent or intimate adult because child and adult dwell within a shared narrative matrix, defined by personal, social, temporal, and spatial aspects of life together. In this article, narrative inquiry is presented as a research methodology that may be of interest to the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) community. In addition, examples are presented. PMID: 17487625 [PubM... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588833 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588832&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17487626%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bryen DN, Potts BB, Carey AC In order to better understand employer perspectives with respect to hiring and working with people who use AAC and the kinds of employment barriers they believe exist for these individuals, a study into the job requirements, recruitment processes, and hiring processes of 27 employers in the United States was conducted. Interviews with the 27 employers focused on 48 jobs in 25 unique categories, many of which had previously been identified as desirable by 38 adults who used AAC (some of whom were employed and some of whom were seeking employment). Findings suggest that, while level of education is still important to employers, skills such as time management, problem solving, communication, use of an understandable and standard voice, and basic techn... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588832 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588831&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17487627%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Higginbotham DJ, Kim KE, Scally C The experiment compared the ability of a Comprehension Model versus an Interaction Model to account for the communication performance of augmented communicators. Five dyads consisting of adults without disabilities, with one participant in each dyad randomly assigned to use an augmentative communication device, engaged in ten direction-giving tasks in which the augmented communicator used either a Word Method (i.e., spoken words only) or a Mixed Method (i.e., mix of spoken words and letters) speech output. Results indicated an overall completion time and communication rate advantage for the Mixed Method output in most communication tasks, supporting the Interaction Model of augmented communication. The role of communication co-construction in ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588831 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588830&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17487628%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigated whether children with intellectual disabilities could be taught productive use of modified signs. Eight children participated in a matrix-based intervention program to teach sign modifications that were contrastive, generalized, and consistent. Results indicated that modified signs could be systematically taught. There was also evidence to suggest that the children were beginning to use modified signs productively. However, it is suggested that their patterns of use were more characteristic of a gestural than a linguistic system. PMID: 17487628 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588830 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588829&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17487629%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Truxler JE, O'Keefe BM This investigation examined the effects of phonological awareness instruction on four children, aged 8-9 years, with complex communication needs (CCN) who used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). During Experiment 1 all four children acquired letter/sound correspondence and phoneme awareness at varying levels. One child reached criterion. Three children maintained their skills and one child generalized to 10 untaught letters/sounds. During Experiment 2 one of four children reached criterion in beginning word recognition and improved her post-intervention word identification. Three children increased their spelling ability. The results are interpreted within the framework of current theory and are suggestive of the skills children with compl... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588829 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588828&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17487630%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Drager KD, Anderson JL, Debarros J, Hayes E, Liebman J, Panek E The purpose of the current research was to investigate the intelligibility of synthesized speech in noise, when listeners are able to watch an individual using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) formulate messages on-line and when they are listening to a speaker without any visual information. A total of 80 participants were randomly assigned to four groups, with 20 participants in each group. Each group listened to sentences delivered using a different message formulation strategy: prestored; audibly formulated (messages are formulated on-line and the listener is able to hear the formulation as the message is being encoded); audibly formulated with no repeat (the full sentence at the end is not repe... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588828 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 1588828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588841&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17364484%26dopt%3DAbstract This study evaluated the communicative interaction skills of seven young men (ages 19-23 years) who had used AAC systems for at least 15 years. Turn-taking patterns, use of communicative functions, and linguistic complexity were analyzed. Current performance was compared to the participants' skills when they were preschoolers and participated in another study of interaction skills (Light, 1985; Light, Collier, & Parnes, 1985a,b,c). Results indicated that the turn distribution between partners was more equitable than it had been when the participants were preschoolers; five of the participants approached reciprocity in turn taking during at least two of the interactions observed. During interactions with their caregivers, the participants fulfilled most of their obligatory turns and mor... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588841 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588840&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17364485%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hart P, Scherz J, Apel K, Hodson B The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between patterns of spelling error and related linguistic abilities of four persons with complex communication needs and physical impairments, compared to younger individuals without disabilities matched by spelling age. All participants completed a variety of spelling and linguistic tasks to determine overall spelling age, patterns of spelling errors, and abilities across phonemic, orthographic, and morphological awareness. Performance of the spelling-age matched pairs was similar across most of the phonemic, orthographic, and morphological awareness tasks. Analysis of the participants' spelling errors, however, revealed different patterns of spelling errors for three of the spelling... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588840 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588839&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17364486%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Binger C, Light J A single subject, multiple probe design across participants was used to evaluate the impact of using aided AAC modeling to support multi-symbol message production. Five preschoolers (three who used voice output communication systems, two who used non-electronic communication boards) participated in the study. Aided AAC models were provided by pointing to two symbols on the child's aided AAC system and then providing a grammatically complete spoken model while engaging in play activities. Four of the five preschoolers learned to consistently produce multi-symbol messages; the fifth did not demonstrate consistent gains. The four preschoolers who met criterion all evidenced long-term use of symbol combinations and generalized use of symbol combinations to novel ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588839 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588838&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17364487%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigated the effect of color on the recognition and use of line drawings by young children with severe intellectual disabilities and poor verbal comprehension who were beginning picture users. Drawings where the color of the picture matched the object and where the color of the drawing did not match the object were used, as well as black and white line drawings. Tentative findings suggest that some students with intellectual disabilities may find it more difficult to recognize and line drawings where the color does not match the object compared to line drawings where the color of the drawing does match the color of the object. PMID: 17364487 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588838 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588837&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17364488%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the effects of a self-paced instructional program, delivered via an accessible website, to teach sociorelational skills and collaborative problem-solving skills to adults with cerebral palsy who used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The instruction was designed to prepare participants to serve as mentors, in an Internet-based mentor program, for adolescents and young adults who also used AAC (Light & McNaughton, 2002). The effect of the training program was evaluated in two separate studies utilizing single-subject multiple probe designs: Study 1 investigated the effects of Lesson 1 of the web-based instructional program on the acquisition of sociorelational skills by six adults who used AAC; and, Study 2 focused on the effects of Lesson ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588837 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588836&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17364489%26dopt%3DAbstract This study is the third in a series of studies that have concentrated on utterance-based systems--which allow the relatively quick selection of full sentences--and investigated trade-offs faced by users of such systems when there is a pragmatic mismatch between the prestored sentence and the current discourse context. While the previous studies focused on trade-offs between speed of message delivery and either relevance or informativeness, this study investigated the effects of trade-offs between speed of message delivery and brevity on public attitudes. Participating were 96 sales clerks who viewed scripted, videotaped trade-off message conditions in the context of a bookstore interaction and completed a questionnaire designed to assess their attitudes toward customers who used utterance-... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588836 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588835&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17364490%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: O'Keefe BM, Kozak NB, Schuller R Two focus groups comprised of adults who used AAC and two focus groups comprised of adult AAC facilitators in Ontario, Canada were asked to identify their own AAC research priorities and to state their levels of agreement with previously identified research priorities in AAC. Members of the focus group who used AAC had physical disabilities since birth except one participant who became disabled at age 2 years. Using focus group methodology and analysis, the participants were asked to generate their own AAC research priorities. A questionnaire and Likert-type scale was used to determine their levels of agreement with six research priorities set a decade earlier by a group of AAC researchers sponsored by the United States-based National Institute... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588835 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588821&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17852052%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study the ability of one speech pathologist, nine leisure support workers, and six people with cerebral palsy to accurately predict context-specific vocabulary was explored. Participants predicted vocabulary for two leisure activities - sailing session and Internet café - using the blank page method of vocabulary selection to identify the vocabulary items they considered important for each activity. This predicted vocabulary was then compared with the actual vocabulary used in each of the activities. A total of 187 (68%) of the words predicted for the sailing session were used during recorded conversations, with 88 words (32%) not appearing in the recorded samples. During the visit to the Internet café only 104 (47%) of the words predicted occurred in the recorded samples... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588821 Sat, 03 Feb 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588817&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17852056%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bruce SM, Vargas C The purpose of this study was to identify the rates of communication expressed by 17 children with severe disabilities in high-rate school contexts while piloting a new coding system for intentional communication acts (ICAs). The following nine characteristics were used when coding ICAs expressed in both child initiated and adult initiated communicative interactions: joint attention, form of communication, use of pause, persistence, repetition, repair, expression of pleasure or displeasure when understood or misunderstood, expression of pleasure or displeasure to communication partner's message, and evidence of comprehension. Children communicated 1.7 - 8.0 ICAs per minute in the highest rate contexts. Nine of the 34 high-rate contexts were speech clinical s... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588817 Sat, 03 Feb 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1588817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588847&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17127612%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the elements of narrative that emerged in the interactions between an 8-year-old child who used an AAC device and her teacher are described. This assessment was achieved through use of the Narrative Assessment Profile (Bliss, McCabe, & Miranda, 1998) in the context of five tasks designed to elicit a spectrum of narrative features. Results indicate that the interactions between the child and her teacher made it difficult to assess whether or not the child had control of certain features of narrative. From a purely structural analysis, most narrative discourse dimensions appeared to be severely compromised and therefore in need of immediate intervention. Discussion includes aspects of narrative intervention and suggested topics for further research. PMID: 17127612 [Pub... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588847 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 05:00:00 +0100 1588847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588846&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17127613%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wilkinson KM, Rosenquist C A recognized challenge in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is the assessment of the individual skills and preferences of potential users of AAC. Particularly in cognitive assessment, many traditional methods are inappropriate because they require the participant to produce a verbal response and/or involve complex verbal instructions. For individuals with limited verbal forms of language, failure at such tasks is relatively uninstructive, either for revealing their functional intellectual status or for developing effective interventions. This paper presents a demonstration of a method developed to evaluate category structure and, thus, semantic organization in individuals with limited verbal skills concomitant to autism sp... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588846 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 05:00:00 +0100 1588846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588845&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17127614%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Alamsaputra DM, Kohnert KJ, Munson B, Reichle J Using synthesized and digitized speech in electronic communication devices may greatly benefit individuals who cannot produce intelligible speech. However, multiple investigations have demonstrated that synthesized speech is not always sufficiently intelligible for its listeners. Listening to synthesized speech may be particularly problematic for listeners for whom English is a second language. We compared native and non-native English-speaking adults' listening accuracy for English sentences in natural voice and synthesized voice conditions. Results indicated a disproportionate disadvantage for the non-native English-speaking group when listening to synthesized speech compared to their native English-speaking age peers. There wa... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588845 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 05:00:00 +0100 1588845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588844&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17127615%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McCarthy J, Light J, Drager K, McNaughton D, Grodzicki L, Jones J, Panek E, Parkin E Children with severe motor impairments who cannot use direct selection are typically introduced to scanning as a means of accessing assistive technology. Unfortunately, it is difficult for young children to learn to scan because the design of current scanning techniques does not always make explicit the offer of items from the selection array; furthermore, it does not provide explicit feedback after activation of the switch to select the target item. In the current study, scanning was redesigned to reduce learning demands by making both the offer of items and the feedback upon selection more explicit through the use of animation realized through HTML and speech output with appropriate intonati... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588844 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 05:00:00 +0100 1588844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588843&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17127616%26dopt%3DAbstract This study evaluated the long-term outcomes for a group of seven young men (ages 19-23 years) who had used AAC systems for at least 15 years and were part of the first generation to have received AAC services since they were in preschool. Outcomes were measured in the following domains: (a) receptive language; (b) reading comprehension; (c) communicative interaction; (d) linguistic complexity; (e) functional communication; (f) educational and vocational achievement; (g) self-determination; and (h) quality of life. The outcomes for the group were diverse, with individual variations across all measures. Evaluation of the data raised many issues surrounding the challenges of outcomes measurement; these are discussed with suggestions for future research. PMID: 17127616 [PubMed - indexed fo... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588843 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 05:00:00 +0100 1588843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588842&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17127617%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bruno J, Trembath D This pilot study assessed the performance of nine children, aged 4;8-14;5, who used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems before and after a weeklong aided language stimulation intervention program. Pre/post test data were analyzed to evaluate the participants' syntactic complexity when using (a) a manual communication board and (b) a dynamic display speech generating device (DD-SGD). Results indicate that most participants improved their syntactic performance and that these gains were more pronounced when the participants used a manual communication board as compared with a DD-SGD. There was considerable individual variation in performance. PMID: 17127617 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communicat... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588842 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 05:00:00 +0100 1588842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588859&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17114160%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Card R, Dodd B To investigate the importance of the connection between being able to speak and the emergence of phonological awareness abilities, the performance of children with cerebral palsy (five speakers and six non-speakers) was assessed at syllable, onset-rime, and phoneme levels. The children were matched with control groups of children for non-verbal intelligence. No group differences were found for the identification of syllables, reading non-words, or judging spoken rhyme. The children with cerebral palsy who could speak, however, performed better than the children with cerebral palsy who could not speak and the control group of children without disabilities, judging written words for rhyme. The children with cerebral palsy who could not speak performed poorly in co... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588859 Fri, 01 Sep 2006 04:00:00 +0100 1588859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588858&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17114161%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nigam R, Schlosser RW, Lloyd LL Matrix strategies employing parts of speech arranged in systematic language matrices and milieu language teaching strategies have been successfully used to teach word combining skills to children who have cognitive disabilities and some functional speech. The present study investigated the acquisition and generalized production of two-term semantic relationships in a new population using new types of symbols. Three children with cognitive disabilities and little or no functional speech were taught to combine graphic symbols. The matrix strategy and the mand-model procedure were used concomitantly as intervention procedures. A multiple probe design across sets of action-object combinations with generalization probes of untrained combinations was ... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588858 Fri, 01 Sep 2006 04:00:00 +0100 1588858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588857&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17114162%26dopt%3DAbstract This article is a case illustration of two community partnership programs based on the LNM. StoryTime and Dress Up and Drama provide participation opportunities in the community for children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The authors describe the development and implementation of both programs. Regardless of level of functioning, each child who participated in the programs did so by communicating, interacting socially, and controlling the environment. Multiple benefits for children, parents/caregivers, community partners, and AAC clinicians are highlighted. The authors hope that this article will assist others in developing partnerships and implementing inclusive practices within their communities. PMID: 17114162 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Augmen... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588857 Fri, 01 Sep 2006 04:00:00 +0100 1588857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588856&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17114163%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Owens JS Information can be empowering if it is accessible. While a number of known information access barriers have been reported for the broader group of people with disabilities, specific information issues for people with complex communication needs have not been previously reported. In this consumer-focused study, the accessibility of information design and dissemination practices were discussed by 17 people with complex communication needs; by eight parents, advocates, therapists, and agency representatives in focus groups; and by seven individuals in individual interviews. Participants explored issues and made recommendations for content, including language, visual and audio supports; print accessibility; physical access; and human support for information access. Consum... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588856 Fri, 01 Sep 2006 04:00:00 +0100 1588856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588855&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17114164%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fried-Oken M, Fox L, Rau MT, Tullman J, Baker G, Hindal M, Wile N, Lou JS Thirty-four informal caregivers who support 26 persons with ALS reported on AAC technology use. Each caregiver completed the Communication Device Use Checklist, a survey tool developed for this study based on Light's (1988) classification of the purposes of social interaction (Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 4, 66-82). The checklist includes 17 purposes of communication and asks participants to judge importance, mode, and frequency of use for each purpose. Results show that the three communication purposes used most frequently and valued as important by caregivers involve regulating the behavior of others for basic needs and wants (getting needs met; giving instructions or directions to other... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588855 Fri, 01 Sep 2006 04:00:00 +0100 1588855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588854&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17114165%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fager S, Beukelman D, Karantounis R, Jakobs T The purpose of this article is to describe the impact of an intervention involving safe-laser pointing technology on six persons with locked-in syndrome. When these individuals were invited to participate in this project (4 weeks to 18 years post onset), none were able to speak and none were able to access an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. All communicated using eye movements (e.g., looking up or down), eye blinks, dependent scanning strategies with eye movement signals, or eye linking. Following intervention with the Safe-Laser Access System, three of the six participants developed head movement sufficient to control AAC technology. Two participants continue to develop head control; however, their progres... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588854 Fri, 01 Sep 2006 04:00:00 +0100 1588854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588853&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17114166%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigated the accuracy with which 30 young adults without disabilities learned abbreviation expansion codes associated with specific vocabulary items that were stored in an AAC device with two accessing methods: mouse access and keyboard access. Both accessing methods utilized a specialized computer application, called AAC Menu, which allowed for errorless practice. Mouse access prompted passive learning, whereas keyboard access prompted active learning. Results revealed that participants who accessed words via a keyboard demonstrated significantly higher mastery of abbreviation-expansion codes than those who accessed words via a computer mouse. PMID: 17114166 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588853 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 04:00:00 +0100 1588853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588852&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17114167%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Johnson JM, Inglebret E, Jones C, Ray J This three-phase investigation used focus groups and a survey to identify factors that perceived by speech language pathologists as being related to long-term success versus inappropriate abandonment of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Factors deemed most important by six focus groups were included in a 106-question survey that was returned by 275 ASHA Special Interest Division #12 (AAC) members. Factor analysis indicated the constructs of Support, Attitude, and System characteristics and Fit as most important to the long-term success of AAC systems. The constructs of Not Maintaining/Adjusting the System, Attitude, Lack of Training, Lack of Support, and Poor Fit were most often related to inappropriate abandonmen... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588852 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 04:00:00 +0100 1588852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1588851&cid=s_37562_52_f&fid=37562&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17114168%26dopt%3DAbstract This study compared estimates of receptive language development for children with complex communication needs to estimates of related skill domains. Subscores of the Battelle Developmental Inventory were compared with each other and the MacArthur Communication Developmental Inventory for 41 children with severe expressive impairments over a period of 18 months, beginning at ages 12-24 months. Across all ages studied, children with severe expressive impairments had better receptive language scores than expected for either their cognitive or overall developmental age equivalence scores. While receptive language measures were correlated with each other and age, scores for receptive language skills on the MacArthur were consistently more stringent than for the Battelle for this population. Imp... Augmentative and Alternative Communication journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1588851 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 04:00:00 +0100 1588851