Undergraduates’ Perceptions of Three Augmentative and Alternative Communication Modes

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.