Attitudes of Adolescent Users and Non-Users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Toward Peers
Abstract
The purpose of this case study was to examine adolescent peer relationships and attitudes for users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This study employed a mixed-methods case study methodology and conducted semi-structured thematic interviews in combination with statistical analyses with natural language processing to understand the attitudes of adolescent users and non-users of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) toward each other. In particular, one adolescent AAC user, two adolescent non-AAC user, and six classroom staff including classroom teacher, teaching assistance, and other staff were interviewed regarding the behavior and attitude of both AAC users and non-users toward each other to comprehend the behavioral, affective, and cognitive elements of their attitudes. Class observations were recorded to quantify the actions reflecting the overall sentiment of class participants toward AAC users as well as those exhibited by the AAC user toward peers. The results indicated the overall positive outlook of all class participants toward AAC users as well as that of the AAC users toward their peers. With verification, the results of the current study are consistent with those reported in the existing literature, i.e., personnel with prior experience or exposure to individuals with disabilities exhibited more positive sentiment toward such individuals compared to those with no prior experience to individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the major challenges encountered by adolescent users of present high-tech AAC devices such as iPads in terms of access or addition of vocabulary were discussed as well.
Subject Area
Developmental psychology|Education|Speech therapy
Recommended Citation
Battaglia, Danielle Ann, "Attitudes of Adolescent Users and Non-Users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Toward Peers" (2022). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI29259720.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI29259720
