Interventions Using High-Technology Communication Devices: A State of the Art Review

Abstract

Background/Aims: In the last 20 years the range of high-technology augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) aids has rapidly expanded. This review aimed to provide a ‘state of the art’ synthesis, to provide evidence-based information for researchers, potential users and service providers. Methods: Electronic databases were searched from 2000 to 2010, together with reference lists of included papers and review papers. The review considered work of any design which reported an intervention using high-tech AAC with people who have communication difficulties (excluding those with solely hearing or visual loss) published in peer-reviewed journals. Results: Sixty-five papers reporting interventions using high-tech AAC were identified. There was evidence that high-technology AAC may be beneficial across a range of diagnoses and ages. The evidence, however, is currently drawn from studies using designs considered to be at high risk of bias. Conclusion: The review suggests that the high level of individual variation in outcome requires a greater understanding of characteristics of clients who may or may not benefit from this technology. Also, the wide range of outcomes measured requires further work in the field to establish what a ‘good outcome’ from intervention may be.

Speech Output Technologies in Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review

“…fifth, the study needed to be published in a peer-reviewed journal; unpublished papers such as conference proceedings and dissertations (e.g., carpenter, 2012) were excluded. finally, articles in any language other than english were excluded (e.g., nakamura, 1997; Sakai, 1997 Table i); (b) forward citation searches using ScoPuS using key articles (e.g., Schlosser, 2003); and (c) ancestry searches of articles that qualified for inclusion (e.g., achmadi et al, 2012) and previous reviews related to the topic (e.g., Baxter, enderby, evans, & judge, 2012;Blischak & Schlosser, 2003;Kagohara et al, 2013;lancioni et al, 2007;Rispoli, franco, van der Meer, lang, & camargo, 2010;Schlosser, 2003;Schlosser & Sigafoos, 2006;Wendt, 2006). The search was completed in September of 2014. additional studies were added at the revision stage, per early online papers suggested by reviewers; however, the search was not repeated.…”

Local service provision of Augmentative and Alternative Communication and communication aids in England

“…AAC interventions include strategies and therapy involving no equipment, those involving paper and other low tech resources and those involving powered 'high tech' communication aids. In their state of the art literature review of 'high-technology communication devices' Baxter et al (1) report that "the literature describes custom-made communication aids which provide voice output (VOCAs), also referred to as speech-generating devices (SGDs). In addition, there is software which can be used on standard personal computers or laptops which provide a voice output.…”

The use of augmentative and alternative communication apps for the iPad, iPod and iPhone: an overview of recent developments

“…Recent research reviews (Baxter et al, 2012a;b) highlight the lack of evidence around the use of high-technology AAC devices, which make it difficult for practitioners to make decisions during the implementation of AAC interventions. There is also research suggesting that the functional use of devices may be limited, with evidence to suggest that though AAC users were able to demonstrate use of the communication aid in some settings (e.g.…”

“…A recent review of published interventions using high-technology communication aid devices (Baxter et al, 2012a;b) found that, while the use high-technology AAC has led to improvements in the communicative ability of people with communication difficulties, there is a great deal of variation in the outcomes of published research and a need for more highquality research in this area. They suggest that much greater attention to individual characteristics is needed in order to make decisions about who will benefit most and which type of AAC may be best suited to individual needs.…”