Editorial: The Evolving Profile of AT and AAC Users

Hughes, Deanna

doi:10.1044/aac23.3.115

Cited by 1 publication

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“…49,50 Even those adults who were identified and received communication support in childhood may have missed out on the current wave of technologies supporting AAC, as is the case for many adults with developmental disabilities. 51 Even those who are aware of AAC may not be aware of relevant AAC support options, 15 especially given the lack of research on AAC for autistic adults. 4 Specific skills may also be required to effectively use relevant AAC options, or to communicate under restrictions inherent to certain AAC systems.…”

Section: Speech For Autistic Adultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Speaking Autistic Adults: Overview and Recommendations

Hillary

DaltonElizabeth

2019

Autism in Adulthood

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In recent years, technologies used for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) have seen increasing development and availability. As a result, more and more autistic people are using AAC. With the increased use of AAC by autistic people, research on autism and AAC has also increased. However, the vast majority of this research focuses on nonspeaking autistic children. AAC use by autistic adults and by speaking autistic people has received limited academic attention. Speaking autistic adults often use AAC and many have publicly shared information about their strategies and experiences. In this article, we provide an overview of the speech differences autistic adults choose to support through AAC, including varying difficulties with speech depending on environment and content. We also discuss the technologies and strategies adopted by autistic adults, including free or low-cost tools that are not specific to AAC, mobile technologies, and signed languages or gestures. We explore barriers to AAC use, including a lack of awareness of relevant options, misconceptions about who AAC supports are for, and the cost of dedicated AAC applications or devices. We then provide suggestions for autistic adults, people supporting autistic adults, and researchers. Overall communicationrather than speech-should be prioritized. Mainstream communication technologies can support communication for autistic adults and a variety of tools can support communication across contexts. Further research into the use and effectiveness of AAC for autistic adults is needed, as is research on barriers to AAC use.

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Section: Speech For Autistic Adultsmentioning

confidence: 99%