Effects of parent instruction on the symbolic communication of children using augmentative and alternative communication during storybook reading

This study investigated the effects of a communication partner instruction strategy for parents of children using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) on the communicative turn taking of their children. Instruction was provided within storybook-reading contexts.

Two single-subject multiple-probe-across-participants designs were used to evaluate the effects of parent instruction on (a) 3 European American parents and (b) 3 African American parents. Changes in turn-taking rates and the expression of different semantic concepts in children using AAC were assessed in storybook-reading activities.

All 6 parents learned to implement the communication partner interaction strategy accurately. All 6 children who used AAC increased their communicative turn taking and their language use as reflected by different semantic concepts expressed.

Results provide evidence that the communication partner instruction program applied within storybook-reading contexts holds significant promise in improving parent-child interaction patterns and facilitating communicative expression and turn taking in children who use AAC.