Children with complex communication needs often have multiple disabilities including visual impairments that impact their ability to interact with aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Just as the field benefited from a consideration of visual cognitive neuroscience in construction of visual displays, an exploration of…

Nonvocal alert patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting often struggle to communicate due to inaccessible or unavailable tools for augmentative and alternative communication. Innovation of a hand-operated non-touchscreen communication system for nonvocal ICU patients was guided by design concepts including speech output, simplicity, and…

The article introduces five case study reports that illustrate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions with adults who have severe acquired communication disorders. Issues common to AAC management of adults are considered as are issues specific to the conditions of amytrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, brain…

The case study involves a developmentally apraxic eight-year-old girl using a multimodal communication system. The Partners in Augmentative Communication Training program was implemented. Results after two months suggested some improvement in communication interaction skills. Issues regarding developmental apraxia and the use of augmentative and…

Discussion of the impact of a severely communication disabled child on the family focuses on ways professionals can involve parents in their child's use of augmentative and alternative communication devices. Specific strategies presented include providing information, using a systems approach, creating support networks, and advocating teamwork.…

A case study of a difficult to manage nonspeaking young man with brain injury is presented. Assessment and intervention indicated severe cognitive-linguistic deficits, severe physical involvement of all extremities, extensive surgical management, visual perceptual and acuity deficits, and behavioral problems. (Author/DB)

The case study of a six-year-old nonspeaking girl with severe cerebral palsy demonstrated the effectiveness of intervention with augmentative and alternative communication methods. Both picture symbol communication and functional speech emerged and the child, initially believed to be mentally retarded, was determined to be of normal intelligence.…