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Meaning, Value and Purpose of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

NCT ID: NCT02931669

Last Updated: 2017-10-27

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

189 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-10-31

Study Completion Date

2017-09-17

Brief Summary

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The perception of disability has changed throughout history, and today, people who previously did not have a way to communicate are able to express themselves through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). However, the potential of AAC is not being fully realised and devices are often abandoned. It is therefore essential to hear the voice of those who use it and those who interact with them on a daily basis, in order to find out what the meaning, value and purpose of AAC is for them. This will support SLTs in directing intervention and establishing priorities, as well as in advocating for funding and acknowledging the voice of AAC users. The study uses a qualitative descriptive approach, using thematic analysis to establish emerging themes from surveys completed by AAC users, family members, health professionals, teachers, and face to face interviews with children who use AAC.

Detailed Description

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Research indicates that AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) has the potential to change the lives of many people with complex communication needs, but is often under-utilised and/or abandoned. Therefore, the research aims to investigate the meaning, value, and purpose of AAC for different stakeholder groups, as well as to what extent these are shared or unique? This information will support Speech and Language Therapists to understand the meaning, value, and purpose of AAC for key stakeholders, and therefore adapt intervention to meet these needs. It can also support families considering AAC in decision making. Participants can also benefit through reflecting on what AAC means to them. It is also an important part of evidence based practice to listen to the voice of the client and family.

A qualitative descriptive study is proposed, utilising thematic analysis. The study will be implemented using a survey which will be presented in different formats (paper/online/face-to-face) depending on the stakeholder. It will investigate the perceptions of people who use AAC, family members, teaching staff and health professionals who work with AAC users. Family members, adult AAC users, teachers and health professionals will receive a link to an online survey, distributed by professional groups and charities. Parents of children attending local special schools will be given paper copies of the survey. Face to face interviews with up to 5 children who use AAC will also be carried out at local special schools, following consent from the parents. Interviews will be conducted by a trained Speech and Language Therapist using symbols to support communication via a Talking Mats style approach,and children will be accompanied by an adult. It is estimated that interviews will last between 20 and 30 minutes.

Participants filling in the paper or online survey are encouraged to write as much or as little as they like; it is estimated that it will take around 10 minutes to complete, although others may spend longer.

Conditions

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Meaning, Value and Purpose of AAC

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

OTHER

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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Adult AAC users

Will be accessed via online forums to fill in online anonymous survey link

Qualitative Descriptive Study

Intervention Type OTHER

Children who use AAC

Parents at local special schools will be given the opportunity for their child to participate in a face to face symbol based interview. They will give written consent and children's assent will also be obtained.

Qualitative Descriptive Study

Intervention Type OTHER

Family members

The paper version of the survey will be distributed among parents at local special schools for them to fill in at home with their families. Online groups of families will also be sent the online survey link.

Qualitative Descriptive Study

Intervention Type OTHER

Teachers

Teachers at local special schools will be given the paper survey forms. Online groups of teachers will receive the online link.

Qualitative Descriptive Study

Intervention Type OTHER

Health Professionals

Online groups of health professionals will receive the online link

Qualitative Descriptive Study

Intervention Type OTHER

Interventions

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Qualitative Descriptive Study

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Those who use AAC (both children and adults), their family members and carers, and health professionals and teaching staff who work with AAC users.

Children who use AAC will be aged between 4 and 18 years of age. There is no age limit on other participants
Maximum Eligible Age

100 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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National Health Service, United Kingdom

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Dublin, Trinity College

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Denise Abraham

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Severe and Complex Needs)

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Trinity College Dublin

Dublin, , Ireland

Site Status

Countries

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Ireland

Other Identifiers

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200453

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

U Dublin TC

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id