Early Intervention and AAC: What a Difference 30 Years Makes
AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Romski, M., Sevcik, R. A., et al. (2015).
AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 31(3), 181-202.
This review investigates the effect of using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in early intervention on communication and language development in children 6 years and younger.
Not stated
1985-2014
Published, peer-reviewed studies (not further specified)
143
<div>"These reports provide substantial support that early [augmentative and alternative communication] AAC intervention enhances a child's communication and language development, from single sign and symbol vocabulary increases for children 3 years old and under ... to multi-symbol utterances and grammatical development for preschoolers" (p. 193).</div>
<div>"There was strong evidence that parents and other communication partners (e.g., educational assistants) are able to learn strategies such as the use of manual signs and [speech generating devices] SGDs for communicating with young children who use [augmentative and alternative communication] AAC" (p. 195).</div>
<div>"The evidence strongly indicates that [augmentative and alternative communication] AAC does not hinder the development of speech at the very beginning stages of language acquisition" (p. 194).</div>
<div>"Even though only a modest number of articles focused on literacy development, the findings illustrated the importance of fostering attention on early literacy and reading skills during early intervention" (p. 194).</div>
<div>"Several reports noted that eye gaze shows promise as an assessment tool for children with severe motor impairments" (p. 194).</div>
