Augmentative and Alternative Communication use and acceptance by adults with Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to document augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) acceptance and use patterns of 25 adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) who used either high- or low-tech AAC devices or strategies at some point during their recovery. Specifically, the purposes were to (a) document acceptance of AAC system recommendations, (b) identify AAC use patterns by persons who accepted the recommendation and for whom AAC intervention was implemented, (c) identify AAC access patterns for message formulation and encoding, and (d) document the kind of communicative functions that different AAC strategies supported. Information was gathered via a questionnaire from speech-language pathologists who provided AAC assessments and interventions at six different sites. The speech-language pathologists provided information about individuals with TBI from their clinics for whom they had recommended AAC. Results revealed that these adults generally accepted both high- and low-tech AAC recommendations and used their AAC systems for extended periods of time. Most utilized letter-by-letter message formulation strategies. When AAC technology was abandoned, it was usually a reflection of a loss of facilitator support rather than a rejection of the technology.