“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
Open Access
- 1 January 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- Vol. 24 (1), 43-55
- https://doi.org/10.1080/07434610701421007
Abstract
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) educating society; and (f) recommendations to others. Important supports to learning how to make effective use of AAC technology included opportunities for individual exploration, use of the technology in role play activities, organized instruction, and opportunities for functional use in the community.Keywords
This publication has 17 references indexed in Scilit:
- A Review of Evidence on Practices for Teaching Young Children to Use Assistive Technology DevicesTopics in Early Childhood Special Education, 2006
- “When I First Got It, I Wanted to Throw It Off a Cliff”: The Challenges and Benefits of Learning AAC Technologies as Described by Adults who use AACAugmentative and Alternative Communication, 2005
- "Pushes and Pulls" on the Parents of Children who use AACAugmentative and Alternative Communication, 2004
- An Experimental Comparison of Computer-Mediated and Face-to-Face Focus GroupsSocial Science Computer Review, 2003
- General Education Teachers' Experiences with Inclusion of Students who use Augmentative and Alternative CommunicationAugmentative and Alternative Communication, 2003
- Enhancing Participation in Employment Through AAC TechnologiesAssistive Technology, 2002
- “Communication is the essence of human life”: reflections on communicative competenceAugmentative and Alternative Communication, 1997
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication Impact on Families: Trends and Future DirectionsThe Journal of Special Education, 1996
- Family perspective on augmentative and alternative communication: families of adolescents and young adultsAugmentative and Alternative Communication, 1996
- Magic and cost of communicative competenceAugmentative and Alternative Communication, 1991