The Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Methods With Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities: A Research Review
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Branson, D., & Demchak, M. (2009).
Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 25(4), 274-286.
This review investigates the effect of aided and unaided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) inverventions on communication skills in young children, birth to 3-years-old, with developmental disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities).
Not stated
1982-2007
Group design studies; single-subject design studies
12
<div>Improvements in a variety of communication skills were noted following AAC interventions for children with DD. "All 135 participants in the conclusive studies demonstrated an improvement in communication skills following the AAC intervention" (p. 280). These improvements were demonstrated across disabilities and ages (beginning at 16 months), and across intensities and frequencies.</div>
<div>The 12 included studies provide support for the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with infants and toddlers with developmental disabilites (DDs); however, the certainty of evidence was conclusive for only 7 of the 12 studies. Evidence from these studies indicates that AAC can be effective for infants and toddlers.</div>
