Report #32 in this series has considered the special attention required to make online collaborative tools fully accessible. The particular challenge for software developers is to optimize the accessibility of online education for persons with disabilities. In the process, the software's efficiency for all users is likely to be increased. The…

Published articles about assistive technology (AT) from 1980 through 2004 were reviewed to identify those that focused on infants and young children. A total of 104 articles about AT with infants and toddlers were identified, and of these, 23 reported practices for teaching switch activation (12), computer use (6), power mobility skills (4), or…

Background: The ComFor (Forerunners in Communication) is an instrument to explore underlying competence for augmentative communication. More specifically, it measures perception and sense-making of non-transient forms of communication at the levels of presentation and representation. The target group consists primarily of individuals with autism…

Purpose: This study examined the cognitive demands of 2 selection techniques in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), direct selection, and visual linear scanning, by determining the memory retrieval abilities of typically developing children when presented with fixed communication displays. Method: One hundred twenty typical children…

Three booklets offer guidelines for individuals with communication disorders and their families concerning: (1) alternate and augmentative communication (AAC); (2) manual communication (boards and displays); and (3) electronic communication devices. The first booklet considers the type of individual who can benefit from the use of AAC and what the…

This report describes the development of a community-based service for the implementation of augmentative and alternative communication strategies with regard to children with severe disabilities in South Africa. The intervention process was developed by the Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication of the University of Pretoria. The…

Describes a case study of a young man with autism, also previously diagnosed with mental retardation and apraxia, who communicated using speech, sign language, facilitated communication, body language, and his mother's conversational supports. Participant observation, interviews, and records' review illustrate his preference for speaking and the…

Summarizes progress made in meeting the communication needs of individuals with severe disabilities. Evidence is presented that supports best practices in the selection of: communicative functions, communicative modes and symbols, and instructional formats. The importance of social motivations for behavior and use of advances in augmentative…

A study examined whether Talking Mats, a light-technology augmentative framework, could be used successfully with 12 young adults with a learning and communication disability. Participants were able to indicate likes and dislikes and express views about the choices available to them. Some expressed opinions not previously known to their carers.…

This technical report was developed to provide support for a position statement by the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities that addresses access to communication services. It argues that eligibility policies and practices often preclude individuals from access to needed communication services.…

A 6-year-old child's oral and spelled utterances were compared over a 3-month period as he was trained to use facilitated communication (FC). The child's language with FC was significantly better than his oral language. Evidence that he was authoring his own messages included his eventual ability to type messages without physical support.…

Discusses the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to enhance comprehension and expression of people with autism. A theoretical model for AAC assessment and intervention is presented and illustrated with a case study of a 6-year-old boy with autism and severe expressive and receptive language impairments. (Author/DB)

Presents a culturally sensitive four-part augmentative and alternative communication assessment protocol. The protocol is inclusive, emphasizing the need to address cultural features directly, and it includes a self-assessment for all practitioners before they engage in the delivery of services to children from different cultural backgrounds.…

Investigated the effects of a peer network strategy on the duration of social interaction and social communication skills for three elementary students with autism. Results indicate increased social interaction time and use of an augmentative communication system for all three students, with increased expressive language for two students.…

Effects of synthetic speech output on the learning of graphic symbols by three adults with severe to profound mental retardation and communication impairments were evaluated. All participants achieved criterion learning using synthetic speech; two also reached criterion without synthetic speech, but the addition of synthetic speech resulted in…