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
"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).
"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).
"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).
"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).
"Several reports noted that eye gaze shows promise as an assessment tool for children with severe motor impairments" (p. 194).
