Purpose: This scoping review aims to characterize the body of literature addressing literacy interventions involving young children (ages 2--8 years) who use or would benefit from aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Method: A systematic search was conducted in six databases. The search yielded 33 intervention studies.…

Narrative language samples can be used to measure language development in children, but research on narrative development in deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children is scarce, limiting knowledge of developmental stages and best practices for collection and analysis. This scoping review included 39 articles that explored recent methodologies and…

As 30% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate difficulties with vocal output, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention can provide a means for those persons to have the ability to communicate with others. To determine the most effective mode of AAC for individuals with ASD, practitioners must have…

With recent data reporting approximately 40--50% of Deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) individuals as having a disability, complex communication needs are not uncommon within this population and can present unique communicative challenges. Implementing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems can provide this population with an…

The purpose of this systematized review was to investigate how attitudes toward low-tech AAC might be impacting its use in acute care settings. A comprehensive and systematic search of databases identified 23 articles for inclusion. Thematic analysis using the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and…

Purpose: Today, an ever-increasing number of technological advancements are becoming mainstream. As the availability of technological innovations increases, so do opportunities for evaluating any benefits of those innovations in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) research for individuals with developmental disabilities. One…

Establishing evidence- and research-based practices relies upon research synthesis of individual studies in reviews and meta analyses. Further summarizing scientific evidence about a specific topic by synthesizing reviews is an area of need to determine practices that have a strong evidence base and to identify areas of methodological weakness and…

This review investigated virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR) communication interventions for children, adolescents, and adults with communication disability and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well the feasibility of these technologies. A search of five scientific databases yielded 5385 potentially relevant records of which 69 met…

Enabling functional communication is critical for accessibility in school and society for all pupils. This systematic review analyzed the results of educational studies on developing communication skills for learners ([less than or equal to]21 years) with autism spectrum disorder and comorbid intellectual disability. Systematic database searches…

Deafblind children and young people often perform poorly in education and social settings. The extent of this attainment gap is unknown. Following the Joanna Briggs protocol, a scoping review was conducted with the aim of establishing the barriers to and facilitators of academic and social success for this cohort. A database search was conducted…

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate single-case studies that used high-tech speech-generating devices (SGDs) for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) ages 0-8. The focus of this review was to measure the effect size of high-tech SGD intervention on verbal behavior. The review included 20 studies with 54 participants with ASD. The results…

Clinical Question: Do children with complex communication needs show greater improvement in requesting behaviors with the Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®) versus a speech-generating device (SGD)? Method: Systematic Review. Sources: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Education Resources Information…

In the present study, we aimed to make an evaluation, conduct comprehensive descriptive analyses, and calculate the effect sizes of studies which compare AAC applications designed according to single-subject research designs and conducted for individuals with ASD. Within the scope of this aim, 21 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were…

This study presents a systematic literature review focusing on the Interrelationship of Language and the Brain and Language Disorders in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) based on a number of published researches in several refereed international journals available in various online databases. A repertory grid was utilized to plot…

A systematic review was conducted to analyze the scope and breadth of the existing training protocols for establishing social and communicative behavior using high-tech, touchscreen devices. This review aimed to determine the degree to which studies evaluating high-tech communication aides have established procedures to extend, or completely…