A Review of Literacy Interventions for AAC Users

Kim, Jeongyoun; Park, Eunhye; Pyo, Yunhui

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Commun Sci Disord. 2008;13(2): 308-327.

Jeongyoun Kim^` , Eunhye Park^` , and Yunhui Pyo^`

김정연(Jeongyoun Kim)| 박은혜(Eunhye Park)| 표윤희(Yunhui Pyo)

ABSTRACT

Background & Objectives
The importance of literacy intervention has recently been emphasized in various literature on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The purpose of this study was to examine the effective intervention elements used to improve the literacy skills of AAC users.
Methods
Thirty intervention studies were selected and analyzed based on the intervention methods as well as the type of participant disability, the experimental design, and the types of dependent variables. Both domestic and foreign articles were included.
Results
The components of AAC literacy intervention derived from the literature review included 1) using appropriate responses and prompts, 2) enhancing the quality of the communication environment, 3) direct AAC skills instruction, 4) multi-faceted comprehensive AAC intervention, 5) conversation partner training, and 6) computer-assisted instruction. In terms of the AAC system used in the intervention, 14 studies using VOCA, 15 studies used picture (or word) cards, 5 studies using storybooks, and 5 studies using a computer system.
Discussion & Conclusion
The effective instruction variables based on the results of the 30 studies are discussed. Furthermore, the implications of this review for further studies on the literacy of AAC users are suggested.