The impact of AAC layout system on accuracy and preference of noun symbol selection in children and young adults

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the performance of Korean children and young adults on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) with different layout systems (function-based layout vs. place-based layout). Method: Ten typically developing Korean children (M = 58 months, SD = 6.60) and ten young adults who speak Korean (M = 23.9 years, SD = 2.13) were asked to navigate vocabulary items in accuracy testing tasks and a preference testing task. Results: Children scored significantly lower on both accuracy tests (F(1,18) =27.51, p < .05) than young adults. However, there was neither layout effect nor interaction effect. The children group preferred place-based layout (F(1,18) = 5.57, p < .05) while the young adults group preferred function-based layout (F(1,18) = 4.80, p < .05). Correlation analyses showed that in the young adults group, the preference of the function-based layout system was significantly related to the accuracy in the function-based layout condition (r = .664, p < .05). In the children group, the navigation accuracy in the function-based layout condition was negatively correlated with that in the place-based condition (r = -.662, p < .05). Conclusion: These results demonstrated that when considering the condition of AAC systems, clinicians must determine the appropriate layout for age, as well as the organization of the symbols on the display.