Effects of Communication Partner Instruction on the Communication of Individuals using AAC: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) partner instruction intervention literature to determine (a) the overall effects of partner interventions on the communication of individuals using AAC, and (b) any possible moderating variables relating to participant, intervention, or outcome characteristics. Seventeen single-case experimental design studies (53 participants) met the inclusion criteria and were advanced to the full coding and analysis phase of the investigation. Descriptive analyses and effect size estimations using the Improvement Rate Difference (IRD) metric were conducted. Overall, communication partner interventions were found to be highly effective across a range of participants using AAC, intervention approaches, and outcome measure characteristics, with more evidence available for participants less than 12 years of age, most of whom had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or intellectual/developmental disability. Aided AAC modeling, expectant delay, and open-ended question asking were the most frequently targeted communication partner interaction skills. Providing a descriptive overview, instructor modeling, guided practice, and role plays were the most frequently incorporated communication partner intervention activities within the included studies.

Percepção do usuário de comunicação suplementar e alternativa e de seus interlocutores sobre o uso dos sistemas gráficos.

“…Os estudos na área da CSA destacam a necessidade de atenção aos diferentes parceiros em cada ambiente, às oportunidades de comunicação que dispensam ao indivíduo e o modo como interagem; pois, a principal característica das dificuldades de comunicação de indivíduos não oralizados, é a baixa expectativa que seus parceiros têm em relação à sua capacidade de veicular e produzir novas informações de forma complexa 20,21 . Também foram citadas como atividades sociais, as datas festivas e temáticas, como Natal e aniversários de pessoas da família.…”

Feasibility of parent communication training with remote coaching using smartphone apps

“…The current study is the first stage in evaluating this complex intervention (Craig et al 2008). Previous research has used single case experimental design (SCED) and group designs to evaluate parent training for families of children with severe disabilities (Parker-McGowan et al 2014, Kent-Walsh et al 2015, Pennington et al 2018. Whereas group designs usually evaluate between-and within-group differences at discrete points in time (e.g., at one point before and one or two points after intervention), SCED uses multiple measurements to observe the point at which behaviour change begins and how it proceeds.…”

Retention of signs following a one‐day key word sign training

“…Communication partners need more than rudimentary knowledge of signs and they need to be confident, fluent and accurate signers themselves. Investing in training of communication partners is important and should be routinely provided until partners demonstrate adequate skills in using AAC (Kent‐Walsh, Murza, Malani, & Binger, ). Our results demonstrate that communication partners can learn signs in a standardised workshop format; however, it would be worth comparing methods of teaching sign in order to maximise retention.…”