Four parents of children with complex communication needs (CCN) participated in a systematic instructional coaching intervention via telepractice. Parents learned to implement a multicomponent augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) support strategy during unstructured play activities. The strategy involved (a) creating opportunities, (b)…

Many children on the autism spectrum struggle significantly in their early language development, entering kindergarten with little or no functional speech (Kasari et al., 2014; Rose et al., 2016). Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions (NDBIs) are a promising approach for supporting early language and communication development for…

Parents of children with both cortical visual impairment (CVI) and complex communication needs offer unique perspectives on their children's journeys to receiving proper diagnoses, supports, and interventions, such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This study explored the lived experiences, supports, and barriers identified by…

Many children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities benefit from augmentative and alternative communication strategies (AAC) to increase their communicative competency. Furthermore, caregiver-implemented AAC interventions are an effective and efficient strategy to improve communication outcomes. We reviewed the caregiver-implemented…

This research aimed to explore the effectiveness of using augmented reality (AR) technology to enhance construction management students' understanding of construction plans. Specifically, the study employed a controlled experimental approach, utilizing pre-assessment and post-assessment measures to evaluate the impact that the AR tool had on…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of two AAC technologies on indices of happiness for school-age children with multiple disabilities during interactions with their school speech-language pathologists. The study applied a post host secondary analysis of a previously completed single-subject alternating treatment design study…

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies benefit learners with complex communication needs (CCN) by allowing them to participate, interact and learn. AAC is realised in the South African Education policy; however, research indicates that many teachers still have limited AAC knowledge. With this study we aimed to describe the…

Despite evidence for the usefulness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for young children with complex communication needs (CCN), several barriers prevent children from accessing AAC intervention. This qualitative study is focused on understanding the lived experiences of parents accessing and learning how to use speech-generating…

Paraeducators frequently support children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) but often lack access to effective training opportunities. Similarly, special education teachers are responsible for supervising paraeducators but often lack effective training on AAC and paraeducator supervision. The POWR+ (Prepare the activity and…

For children with autism or other complex communication needs (CCN), access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems can increase opportunities to effectively participate in many aspects of daily life. The use of AAC can enhance communication, language, and learning for children with CCN (Hidecker, 2020), and allows for…

Children who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) often demonstrate pragmatic language difficulties which can impact academic and social outcomes. This randomized control trial for DHH children, ages 3-12 years, explored the Technology-Assisted Language Intervention (TALI), incorporating augmentative and alternative communication technology (AAC)…

Problem: Upon their initial school entrance, some children remain silent and devoid of social interaction for the entire school day. A small group of children are not merely "very shy" but exhibit features of selective mutism, a pervasive social and communication disorder that is sometimes associated with anxiety. For months, these…

Background: Friendship is a crucial relationship for young adults with disabilities as it offers practical support and enjoyment, and it is essential to well-being and health. The present study examined the friendships of young adults with physical disabilities whose challenges with natural speech necessitate the use of augmentative and…

The aim of this scoping review was to explore the extent to which AAC studies have occurred in inclusive versus segregated settings, the role of AAC in inclusive setting studies, and the evidence for AAC supporting inclusive education of students with complex communication needs. A scoping review of studies published from 2000 to 2020 that…

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been used by patients with acquired expressive communication disorders as an alternative to natural speech. The use of symbols to express pain, which is intangible, is challenging because designing a series of comprehensible symbols to represent personal experiences such as pain is not…