We need to take AAC out of the “too hard basket”. An exploration into the attitudes of Australian speech language pathologists towards AAC
Tracks
5
Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
Complex communication needs (CCN)
Disability
| Sunday, June 15, 2025 |
| 10:30 AM - 10:40 AM |
Overview
Clancy Conlon
Details
⏫ Research insights
⏲️ 10.30am - 10.50am
⌛20-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Foundational (new/casual familiarity with the topic e.g. treated a single case)
⏲️ 10.30am - 10.50am
⌛20-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Foundational (new/casual familiarity with the topic e.g. treated a single case)
Presenter
Miss Clancy Conlon
CQUniversity
We need to take AAC out of the “too hard basket”. An exploration into the attitudes of Australian speech language pathologists towards AAC
10:30 AM - 10:50 AMPresentation summary
Background: Speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) attitudes toward augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) are pivotal in achieving successful outcomes for AAC users. Despite its importance, research exploring SLPs' values, beliefs, and attitudes surrounding AAC remains scarce.
Aim: Therefore, this study sought to explore SLPs’ attitudes, beliefs and values about AAC and factors influencing SLP attitudes throughout their clinical journey.
Method: One on one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 Australian SLPs regarding their attitudes towards AAC. All interviews were conducted via Zoom, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a deductive, values coding approach.
Results: Many SLPs begin their careers with limited awareness or even negative perceptions of AAC whereby AAC was described as ‘overwhelming’, ‘scary’, ‘hard’ and ‘daunting’. Fortunately, these attitudes are not fixed. This study revealed that attitudinal shifts can occur over time, influenced by various personal, social, and historical factors. These factors play a critical role in shaping an SLP's evolving views of AAC throughout their clinical journey.
Conclusion: While some SLPs develop more positive attitudes toward AAC as their careers progress, it is essential to take proactive measures to foster positive AAC attitudes from the outset. Key stakeholders need to ensure that SLPs are champions of AAC, united in their quest for a society that facilitates communication access for people regardless of their age, gender, cultural background, or disability status. Three key recommendations are proposed to achieve this goal.
Aim: Therefore, this study sought to explore SLPs’ attitudes, beliefs and values about AAC and factors influencing SLP attitudes throughout their clinical journey.
Method: One on one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 Australian SLPs regarding their attitudes towards AAC. All interviews were conducted via Zoom, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a deductive, values coding approach.
Results: Many SLPs begin their careers with limited awareness or even negative perceptions of AAC whereby AAC was described as ‘overwhelming’, ‘scary’, ‘hard’ and ‘daunting’. Fortunately, these attitudes are not fixed. This study revealed that attitudinal shifts can occur over time, influenced by various personal, social, and historical factors. These factors play a critical role in shaping an SLP's evolving views of AAC throughout their clinical journey.
Conclusion: While some SLPs develop more positive attitudes toward AAC as their careers progress, it is essential to take proactive measures to foster positive AAC attitudes from the outset. Key stakeholders need to ensure that SLPs are champions of AAC, united in their quest for a society that facilitates communication access for people regardless of their age, gender, cultural background, or disability status. Three key recommendations are proposed to achieve this goal.
Refrences
Albarracin, D., & Shavitt, S. (2018). Attitudes and attitude change. Annual Review of Psychology, 69(1), 299–327. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011911
Armstrong, L., Jans, D., & MacDonald, A. (2000). Parkinson’s disease and aided AAC: Some evidence from practice. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 35(3), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1080/136828200410636
Conlon, C., & Zupan, B. (2024). The knowledge, confidence and attitudes of Australian speech-language pathologists in augmentative and alternative communication for children and young people. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/22000259.2024.2316925
McNaughton, D., Light, J., Beukelman, D. R., Klein, C., Nieder, D., & Nazareth, G. (2019). Building capacity in AAC: A person-centred approach to supporting participation by people with complex communication needs. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 35(1), 56–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2018.1556731
Moorcroft, A., Scarinci, N., & Meyer, C. (2019). A systematic review of the barriers and facilitators to the provision and use of low-tech and unaided AAC systems for people with complex communication needs and their families. Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 14(7), 710–731. CINAHL Ultimate. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2018.1499135
Armstrong, L., Jans, D., & MacDonald, A. (2000). Parkinson’s disease and aided AAC: Some evidence from practice. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 35(3), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1080/136828200410636
Conlon, C., & Zupan, B. (2024). The knowledge, confidence and attitudes of Australian speech-language pathologists in augmentative and alternative communication for children and young people. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/22000259.2024.2316925
McNaughton, D., Light, J., Beukelman, D. R., Klein, C., Nieder, D., & Nazareth, G. (2019). Building capacity in AAC: A person-centred approach to supporting participation by people with complex communication needs. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 35(1), 56–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2018.1556731
Moorcroft, A., Scarinci, N., & Meyer, C. (2019). A systematic review of the barriers and facilitators to the provision and use of low-tech and unaided AAC systems for people with complex communication needs and their families. Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 14(7), 710–731. CINAHL Ultimate. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2018.1499135
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Clancy Conlon is a lecturer at CQUniversity in Rockhampton, QLD. Clancy’s teaching areas include paediatric speech and language as well as augmentative and alternative communication across the lifespan. Clancy is currently enrolled in her PhD through CQUniversity investigating the training experiences, attitudes and self-perceived competence and confidence of Australian speech language pathologists in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Clancy continues to provide clinical services within the disability sector in Australia and overseas in under resourced settings.
The information contained in this program is current at of the time of publishing but is subject to changes made without notice.
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