Aided AAC for people with severe to profound and multiple disabilities: A systematic review of interventions and treatment intensity

Abstract

Given the limited evidence, along with a rapidly evolving state of technology, research is needed to drive effective and efficient communication intervention for people with severe to profound and multiple disabilities. The purpose of the current review was to synthesize and evaluate the state of the aided, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention literature for this population from 1997 to 2016. Results synthesized findings from 25 studies (n = 59) on the extracted participant characteristics, intervention, and dosage parameters from the studies. Results included an under-reporting of sufficient dosage parameters in addition to implications for future directions in the areas of maintenance, generalization, and discriminated use of skills, and bridging aided low and high-tech AAC interventions.