Communication augmentation systems: quantification in natural settings

Although observation in clinical settings of communication augmentation system use by severely physically handicapped nonspeaking persons is important, monitoring of such use in natural settings can yield valuable information about the system, communication frequency, and unique communication needs of the individual. This study was designed to evaluate the use of communication partners as data recorders. For nonspeaking, severely physically handicapped subjects were observed in the home, school or treatment settings by a trained observer and a minimally trained communication partner. Issues of partner training and length of time required to obtain a representative sample of communication arose as a result of this study. More work in the areas of automated data collection systems or use of communication partners as data collectors is required before claiming that accurate communication interactions can be recorded in natural settings.