What communication strategies do AAC users want their communication partners to use? A preliminary study

摘要

Purpose: This study aims to investigate which communication strategies the people, who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), want their communication partners to use. Methods: We interviewed eight children using Talking Mats to examine the AAC users' own opinion. Results: The results showed that they wanted their communication partners to take the initiative, to repair the breaks when communication breakdowns occurred, and to invest time in understanding what AAC users wanted to express. Conclusions: These results underlined the significant responsibility of communication partners and revealed the need for AAC user interventions to help them be active communicators. More research needs to emphasise AAC users' opinions about communication partner strategies to improve the communication processes for AAC-users and thereby promote social inclusion in natural environment.