Description
The objective of this study was to assess undergraduates’ perceptions of three augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) modes. The authors showed 104 undergraduates a video clip of a person using each of the three AAC modes and asked them to rate each option in terms of perceived (a) intelligibility, (b) ease of acquisition, (c) effectiveness/acceptability, and (d) preference. The three AAC modes shown were (a) manual signing, (b) picture exchange, and (c) speech-generating device. Mean ratings for perceived intelligibility and effectiveness/acceptability were significantly higher for the speech-generating device. The speech-generating device and manual signing options were rated as being more preferred over picture exchange. Picture exchange was rated significantly higher on perceived ease of acquisition. Speech-generating devices were perceived to have greater social validity than manual signing and picture exchange.
Citation
Achmand, D., van der meer, L., Augusta, J., Sigafoos, J., Lancioni, G., O’Reilly, M., . . . Marschik, P. (2015). Undergraduates’ perceptions of three augmentative and alternative communication modes. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 18, 22–25.