AAC for Adults with Acquired Neurological Conditions: A Review
By Beukelman, David R.; Fager, Susan; Ball, Laura; Dietz, Aimee; Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 230-242Publication Date: September 2007
Review of the state of the science of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for adults with acquired neurogenic communication disorders. Recent advances in AAC for 6 groups of people with degenerative and chronic acquired neurological conditions are detailed. Specifically, the topics of recent AAC technological advances, acceptance, use, limitations, and future needs of individuals with (1) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), (2) traumatic brain injury (TBI), (3) brainstem impairment, (4) severe, chronic aphasia and apraxia of speech, (5) primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and (6) dementia are discussed. The role of communication partners and AAC facilitators and the need to provide targeted instruction and support for these individuals are explored. The impact of AAC services and technology was reported to be inconsistent across the 6 groups. While AAC acceptance and use have increased for individuals with ALS and TBI, and the effectiveness of AAC options for formerly underserved populations (aphasia, brainstem impairment, dementia) is improving, groups such as individuals with Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis continue to be underserved.
Published by: International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) (Website:http://www.isaac-online.org)
Link to text: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a781352296~db=all~jumptype=rss
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J53104
