Speech and Hearing Sciences ETDs

Amy Thatcher

Publication Date

11-22-2009

Abstract

Many children of all ages are in need of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Adult communication partners in the school setting typically interact differently with children who use AAC than they do with others. In prior studies, an eight-step instructional program designed to teach adult communication partners to facilitate the communication skills of students who use AAC has been used within an individual instructional format. The eight-step instructional model used to teach these adults has been shown to be effective; however, research is required to establish the efficacy of this program when providing instruction to adult communication partners within group settings. In the current study, the eight-step model was used to instruct one school-based AAC team within group settings. Results indicated that group instruction was an effective and efficient way to teach the AAC team a cueing hierarchy to facilitate the child's communication skills; every adult increased his or her accurate use of the strategy, and results were statistically significant. However, generally speaking, the adults did demonstrate more errors than adults in prior studies who received instruction in one-on-one settings, indicating that more work needs to be done to ensure the effectiveness of providing instruction within group settings.

Degree Name

Speech-Language Pathology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Speech and Hearing Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Nettleton, Sandy

Second Committee Member

Rodriguez, Barbara

Language

English

Keywords

Language arts--Remedial teaching--Evaluation, Communicative disorders in children--Treatment--Evaluation

Document Type

Thesis

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