Abstract
ABSTRACTBackground Research findings suggest that direct support staff use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) inconsistently. Various staff-related factors have been identified, and researchers agree that these factors somehow interrelate. Therefore, we approached AAC use as a behavioural process and examined the synergy between staff-related factors.Method Fifteen direct support staff and 10 speech-language/occupational therapists who work with adults who have an intellectual disability and use AAC were individually interviewed. Transcripts were studied using thematic analysis.Results Three main themes were discerned: consistent versus inconsistent AAC usage in direct support staff; time as a real and virtual barrier; friction in the peer–expert relationship.Conclusions Direct support staff primarily used AAC when there was an acute need for communication support. In contrast, both direct support staff and speech-language therapists felt that direct support staff should consistently provide augmented input. This discrepancy was driven by team dynamics as well as actual and perceived lack of time.
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