Attitudes toward Individuals Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Research Review

John Mccarthy,Janice Light

doi:10.1080/07434610410001699753

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a review of 13 studies of attitudes toward individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The following factors that influenced attitudes were found: characteristics of typically developing individuals, characteristics of the person using AAC, and characteristics of AAC systems' output. This research base indicates that females reported more positive attitudes than males, and that individuals with previous experience with people with disabilities reported more positive attitudes than did individuals who had no previous experience with people with disabilities. The AAC system and other factors studied did not appear to be influential as single factors; however, data from the studies reviewed provide support for the hypothesis that attitudes are formed by the interaction of many different factors. There has been limited research in techniques to change attitudes toward individuals who use AAC. A recommendation from this review is that future research should focus on strategies to modify both attitudes and behavior in order to reduce barriers to social interaction.

Highlights

Triandis (1971) defined an attitude as ‘‘. . .an idea charged with emotion which predisposes a class of actions to a particular class of social situations’’ (p. 2)
The results suggest that the use of video may be a viable medium for assessing attitudes toward individuals who use alternative communication (AAC); O’Keefe’s (1992) study included only a small number of participants
General Conclusions In AAC attitude studies, the focus has been on finding differences in attitudes between groups of typically developing individuals

Summary

Introduction

Triandis (1971) defined an attitude as ‘‘. . .an idea charged with emotion which predisposes a class of actions to a particular class of social situations’’ (p. 2). Eiser (1986) highlighted three common assumptions about attitudes: (a) they involve some kind of evaluation about something or someone, (b) they can be expressed through language, and (c) they are related to social behavior in a way that is predictable. Negative attitudes about individuals who use AAC create barriers that limit opportunities for communication and full participation in society. For example, may influence people’s willingness to interact with individuals who use AAC, thereby interfering with the formation of meaningful social relationships (McCarthy, Light, & McNaughton, 2002). Employers with negative attitudes toward individuals who use AAC may have differential hiring and assignment practices (McNaughton, Light, & Arnold, 2002; McNaughton, Light, & Groszyk, 2001).

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion