Development of FamTAM Intervention for Speech and Language Pathologists and Family Members

Children with complex communication needs, including approximately one-third of children with autism, use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to meet their daily communication needs. AAC includes gestures, sign language, picture symbols, and computerized systems to augment or replace speech. Family support and training are essential for effective AAC implementation, but few interventions exist. We describe the iterative development of the FamTAM Intervention-an aided language modeling training and coaching intervention designed to support caregiver implementation and their school-based speech language pathologists (SLPs) preparedness to provide family coaching. We detail the iterative process, including refining the training content and delivery, expert reviews, and interviews with SLPs and caregivers. We also conducted interviews with participants to assess the clarity, feasibility, acceptability, and usability of the intervention. Our findings indicate that participants viewed the FamTAM Intervention as engaging, practical, and aligned with evidence-based AAC practices, while also identifying areas for further refinement.