'We were just kind of handed it and then it was smoke bombed by everyone': How do external stakeholders contribute to parent rejection and the abandonment of AAC systems?

Abstract

There are multiple stakeholders involved in the introduction of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to children with complex communication needs. Stakeholders such as speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and teachers who are external to the family unit play a key role in planning and implementing interventions. If this intervention is unsuccessful, it can result in parent rejection or abandonment of the AAC system. However, no studies explore the contribution of external stakeholders to AAC rejection and abandonment from the perspective of parents who have experienced such unsuccessful interventions. To explore parents' perceptions of how external stakeholders may contribute to the rejection or abandonment of an AAC system. Data were collected as a part of a larger study that explored parent experiences of AAC rejection and abandonment. Within this study, semi-structured interviews were completed with 12 parents who had rejected or abandoned an AAC system introduced to their child with complex communication needs. Data related to external stakeholder contributions were extracted from the interview transcripts, and a thematic analysis was conducted. Analysis revealed four themes that captured the role of external stakeholders in the rejection and abandonment of AAC systems: (1) parents were influenced by the attitudes and experience of professionals; (2) parents did not feel supported by SLPs; (3) communication between stakeholders was not effective; and (4) parents had difficulties using AAC without a supportive community. This study highlights the importance of family-centred service delivery when introducing an AAC system to the parent of a child with complex communication needs. SLPs may support parent acceptance of AAC systems by using family-centred practices such as listening to parents, acknowledging their expertise and finding compromises.