Screening clients for an augmentative and alternative communication clinic: a multitrait-multimethod approach

The aim of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services is to support, enhance, or provide alternative methods of communication for individuals who are not independent verbal communicators. However, relatively little evaluative research has been conducted with adult AAC users. The establishment of Freeport Hospital's AAC Clinic for adults included the development of questionnaires to gather information for the selection and provision of services for its clients. The present study addresses the issue reliability and validity of three novel measures contained within the AAC Clinic's Background Information Questionnaire using a multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) design. Results from this evaluation are discussed in terms of clinical application and policy development.