High-Technology Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Complex Communication Needs: A Meta-Analysis
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Ganz, J. B., Morin, K. L., et al. (2017).
Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 33(4), 224-238.
This meta-analysis investigates the use of high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, including mobile device applications, on the communication outcomes of individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education
1990-2015
Single-case experimental designs
24
<div>In reviewing the impact of the type of communication partner implementing the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, the evidence reported that both researchers as communication partners (ES 0.76; CI 0.67-0.84) and natural communication partners (ES 0.73; CI 0.62-0.83) produced statistically significant effects. There was no difference in effects between the researcher and natural communication partner.</div>
<div>"Implementation of high-tech AAC [augmentative and alternative communication] was effective and likely to be effective under most conditions and for most participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities to improve communication skills" (p. 233). Meta-analysis of twenty-four studies found an overall effect size of 0.7 (95% CI; 0.63 to 0.77). Individuals showed significantly greater improvement in communication of their wants and needs as compared to their expression of social closeness. Individuals of all ages achieved at least moderate effectiveness, and no significant difference in outcomes was found between age groups.</div>
<div>In regards to the impact of the setting on augmentative and alternative communication device services for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, no significant difference was found between a natural or a didactic context.</div>
<div>To answer the research question regarding the effectiveness of strategies teaching augmentative and alternative communication use to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, the evidence reported:</div>
<ul>
<li>"Errorless learning and verbal prompting were not found to be more effective than interventions without these strategies; however, this finding should be considered to be tentative due to the small number of pairwise comparisons that were included in the analysis" (pp. 233-234).</li>
<li>"Effects of time delay were statistically significantly better than without time delay" (p. 234); however, these results may not capture other strategies used in conjunction with time delay.</li>
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