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An Investigation of Aided Language Stimulation: Does It Increase AAC Use With Adults With Developmental Disabilities and Complex Communication Needs?

By Beck, Ann R.; Stoner, Julia B.; Dennis, Marcia L.; Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 42-54
Publication Date: March 2009

Study undertaken to determine the efficacy of aided language stimulation (ALS) to teach the use of AAC techniques to adults with developmental disabilities. ALS was implemented through a five-phase process: (a) identification and prioritization of activities for the activity-based curriculum, (b) generation of interactive scripts, (c) creation of communication overlays, (d) provision of readily-accessible overlays and devices within the training environment, and (e) intervention aimed at training spontaneous, interactive communication. Materials provided were Go-Talk 20 communication devices with two overlays, manual communication boards, and individual pictures kept in binders. Pictures and overlays were created using Boardmaker 5.2.1b. An ABAB baseline-intervention design was used in the study, which included 16 participants divided into two equal groups. In each group, half of the participants were able to communicate functionally using spoken language, and half had complex communication needs and did not have functional, symbolic communication systems. Each group met twice weekly for 30 minutes per session. Researchers modeled the use of AAC and followed scripts during music-based interventions. Sessions focused on social greetings, choosing songs to play, learning words and movements for the songs, and discussing the songs. Participants were encouraged to interact with each other and to facilitate each other’s communications. Results suggested that responsiveness and use of AAC increased for all participants with complex communication needs. Study limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

Assistive Products Discussed: BOARDMAKER (INTERNATIONAL)
GOTALK 20 PLUS
Published by: International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC)   (Website:http://www.isaac-online.org)

Link to text: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a793178114
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J56454
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