Judge, S. orcid.org/0000-0001-5119-8094, Randall, N., Goldbart, J. orcid.org/0000-0003-1290-7833 et al. (4 more authors) (2019) The language and communication attributes of graphic symbol communication aids – a systematic review and narrative synthesis. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 15 (6). pp. 652-662. ISSN 1748-3107
Abstract
Background: Symbol communication aids are used by children with little or no intelligible speech as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication strategy. Graphic symbols are used to help support understanding of language and used in symbol communication aids to support expressive communication. The decision making related to the selection of a symbol communication aid for a child is poorly understood and little is known about what language and communication attributes are considered in this selection.
Aim: To identify from the literature the language or communication attributes of graphic symbol communication aids that currently influence AAC practice.
Method and Procedure: A search strategy was developed and searches were performed on a range of electronic databases for papers published since 1970. Quality appraisal was carried out using the CCAT tool and papers rated as weak were not included in the review.
Results: Eleven studies were included in the review reporting data from 66 participants. Weaknesses were identified in most studies that would limit the validity of the results for application to practice. Included studies investigated aspects of vocabulary organization and design, the process of vocabulary selection, and the choice of the symbol system and encoding method. Two studies also evaluated innovative communication aid attributes.
Conclusions: Information from studies reported in the research literature provides a sparse source of information about symbol communication aids from which clinicians, children or family members may make informed decisions.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an author-produced version of a paper subsequently published in Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | AAC; augmentative and alternative communication aids; graphic symbols; communication aids |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Health and Related Research (Sheffield) > ScHARR - Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 25 Apr 2019 10:43 |
Last Modified: | 02 Dec 2021 08:45 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/17483107.2019.1604828 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:145285 |