Designing AAC Systems that Provide Dynamic Shared Interactive Contexts to Support the Communication and Language Development of Children with Complex Communication Needs Janice Light (Penn State University) Kathy Drager (Penn State University)

Challenge:

Children who have complex communication needs (e.g., children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities) require early access to assistive technologies to support their learning and participation in educational, home, and community environments. Current AAC technologies are often difficult for young children to learn to use; they may not appeal to children; and they do not easily accommodate changes as children grow and learn. There is an urgent need to develop AAC technologies that better meet the needs and skills of children with complex communication needs in order to enhance their communication / language development and maximize their educational outcomes

Goals:

The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects of innovative designs for AAC assistive technologies that provide a truly dynamic shared context to support communication and language development for children with complex communication needs. Specifically the project will:

• Determine designs for a new generation of AAC technologies that provide dynamic shared interaction space and integrate communication into play and educational contexts;

• Investigate the effects of these new AAC technologies on the language and communication development of young children; and,

• Transfer these design specifications widely to AAC manufacturers resulting in new products that better meet the needs of children with complex communication needs.

Activities:

The project involves the following activities:

• With input from clinicians, families, and other stakeholders, determine the design specifications for AAC technologies to better meet the needs of children with complex communication needs and their families;

• Demonstrate the feasibility of these designs through mock ups;

• Introduce these new technologies to children and their families

• Investigate the effects of these new AAC technologies on the language, literacy, and communication development of children;

• Investigate consumer satisfaction with these innovative designs;

• Transfer these design specifications widely to AAC manufacturers resulting in new products that better meets the needs of children with complex communication needs;

• Disseminate research results to educational / rehabilitation professionals to enhance evidence-based practice and improve outcomes for children who require AAC.

Knowledge Transfer

Light, J., Drager, K., & McNaughton, D. (November, 2008). Building language and literacy skills with children who require AAC. Presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

Light, J., Wilkinson, K., & Drager, K. (November, 2008). Designing effective AAC systems: Research evidence and implications for practice. Presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association Conference, Chicago, IL.