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Article
Responsiveness of a parent-reported outcome measure to evaluate AAC interventions for children and youth with complex communication needsNo Title
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (2018)
  • Stephen Ryan, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Tracy Shepherd, Thames Valley Children's Centre
  • Michelle Servais, TVCC and Western University
  • Anne Marie Renzoni, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Shauna Kingsnorth, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Carrie Laskey, Thames Valley Children's Centre
  • Karen Ward, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Kimberley Bradley
Abstract
Evaluation of the effectiveness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions requires reliable measures that are responsive to change. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of the Family Impact of Assistive Technology Scale for AAC (FIATS-AAC) to detect functional change in children and youth with AAC needs, aged 3–17 years, and their families, 6 and 12 weeks after receiving a graphic-based, speech-generating device (SGD). Parents whose children were awaiting a SGD as part of their regular AAC service participated in the study. In all, 45 parents completed the FIATS-AAC during each of three phone interviews: at the time of device delivery, and then 6 weeks and 12 weeks after receiving the device. Children and youth were aged 3–16 years (M = 7.8, SD = 3.3) and were mostly context-dependent communicators. Paired t-tests indicated statistically significant gains in functioning from baseline to both 6 and 12 weeks after receiving the AAC device. Effect sizes were 0.41 and 0.38, respectively. This study provides initial support for the ability of the FIATS-AAC to detect functional changes in children and youth and their families after receiving a graphic-based SGD.
Keywords
  • Augmentative and alternative communication,
  • outcome assessment (healthcare),
  • aided communication,
  • social environment,
  • family-centred service
Publication Date
2018
DOI
10.1080/07434618.2018.1520296
Citation Information
Ryan, S. E., Shepherd, T., Renzoni, A. M., Servais, M., Kingsnorth, S., Laskey, C., Ward, K., & Bradley, K. (2018). Responsiveness of a parent-reported outcome measure to evaluate AAC interventions for children and youth with complex communication needs. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 34(4), 348-358. doi:10.1080/07434618.2018.1520296