Something for everybody? Assessing the suitability of AAC systems for children using stated preference methods

Area of Science:

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Child Development
• Assistive Technology

Background:

• Limited understanding exists regarding the suitability of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system features for children with diverse characteristics.
• AAC professionals' perspectives are crucial for tailoring communication solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how AAC professionals perceive the suitability of various AAC system features for children with different profiles.
• To identify factors influencing the selection of appropriate AAC systems based on child characteristics.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 155 AAC professionals in the UK.
• Participants rated hypothetical AAC systems on a Likert scale and participated in a discrete choice experiment.
• Statistical modeling analyzed the suitability of 274 AAC systems for 36 child vignettes.

Main Results:

• Suitability ratings for AAC systems varied significantly across different child vignettes (51.1% to 98.5% rated ≥5/7).
• Few child vignettes (12/36) had AAC systems rated highly suitable (≥6/7).
• The optimal AAC system features were contingent upon the specific characteristics of the child.

Conclusions:

• While many AAC systems showed good suitability for all child profiles, significant variations exist.
• These variations in AAC system suitability could potentially lead to disparities in service provision.
• Tailoring AAC system selection to individual child needs is essential to ensure equitable access to communication tools.