Team collaboration is an essential component of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services that directly impacts outcomes for students in special schools. Given the central role of the Special Education Teacher (SET) in the AAC team, there is a need to explore and understand SETs' perceptions to support effective team collaboration.…

Several communication interventions have been used with nonverbal individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for a long time. One of these methods that are effective in enhancing the communication skills of these individuals is tablet-based devices (e.g., iPads). Special education teachers have a significant role in successfully implementing…

Professionals and communication partners report experiencing challenges with regard to developing the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals with complex communication needs who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). These challenges can be exacerbated in rural and remote areas where access to resources and training may…

Purpose: The goal of this study was to identify promising implementation strategies that may increase teachers' and speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) adoption of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) during routine classroom activities. Method: A grounded theory approach was used to collect and code online, semi-structured interviews…

The general education classroom is filled with academic vocabulary, and individuals with developmental disabilities benefit from explicit vocabulary instruction (Browder et al., 2008; Marzano, 2020; Smith et al., 2013). Picture-based alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) can encourage academic skills development (Ahlgrim-Dehzel et al.,…

Purpose: Although there is a strong evidence base supporting the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in school settings, the research-to-practice gap in this area remains a concern. Few studies have examined how AAC systems are implemented in school settings and whether these systems adequately promote communicative competence…

This study investigated the existing practices employed by special education teachers in Saudi Arabia regarding the application of PECS when teaching children with autism. One hundred eighteen respondents took part in the research study, and the results revealed special education teachers shared a common perception concerning the barriers in using…

"Augmentative and alternative communication" (AAC) refers to a wide variety of communication devices, systems, tools, and strategies that support or replace spoken language. Augmentative and alternative communication users represent a range of ages, abilities, and communication needs. Support for AAC often begins in the public school…

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to all forms of communication that can be used to support people with little or no functional speech. The present study was part of a broader European project that aimed at gathering information about the service provision in AAC in the Basque Autonomous Community, Spain. One hundred and…

Although federal laws require public schools to provide every student in Special Education with a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and an individualized education program (IEP), which provides students' accommodations and services, there is variation in the degree of access that many students have to assistive technology, particularly…

In 2004, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act outlined specific considerations for students with individual education programs in relation to their needs and application of assistive technology (AT) devices and services used to access school curriculum. Teachers will interact with a variety of assistive technologies during their career…

Purpose: This study explored the practices and experiences of teachers who teach students using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), more specifically, speech-generating devices (SGDs). Method: Nine teachers (one general education, eight special education) from four countries participated in semistructured interviews. A generic…

Purpose: This scoping study sought to establish a baseline for how well the needs of children with cortical visual impairment (CVI) who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) are currently aligned with the services available to them. CVI is the most common cause of visual impairment in children today, and AAC methods rely heavily on…

Purpose: Nearly all students use Internet-based social media to communicate and network. For those with complex communication needs who may benefit from augmentative and alternative communication, social media offer specific opportunities to participate. However, do students make use of them--or do they face new barriers? The aim of the study was…

Authors share an initial exploration of the pedagogy practiced at The Camphill School, specifically in relation to the integration of technology into its program. An approved private school situated in rural Pennsylvania, which caters to students on the autism spectrum, and others with different or additional physical and developmental…