Barriers to AAC Use: How Identifying AAC Software Barriers Can Increase Communication Effectiveness for Individuals with ASD: Go Talk NOW Plus

Aida Perovic

Co-Presenters: Bethany Gallagher

College: College of Health Professions and Human Services

Major: MA.SPEECH-LNGPATH

Faculty Research Mentor: Ghanim, Iyad  Kaffl, Lindsay

Abstract:

High-technology augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) applications are commonly used in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) population to support language growth and development. Despite several software's available for use within these devices, research in the area of AAC and specific software's are still lacking. We aim to contribute to this research with our study to determine the following: (1) Based on SLP opinion, what are the most common barriers of device softwares, specifically, GoTalk NOW Plus, in the ASD population and (2) despite these barriers, is this software perceived to be more useful than another in terms of increasing communication outcomes? Information is currently being gathered using a within groups design with a mixed quantitative and qualitative online survey via Qualtrics. Data is being gathered and will be analyzed via these survey questions to address the above objectives. These questions focus on: (1) Demographic Information (2) Rate of use (3) Software organization (4) Perceived ease of use (5) Perceived Generalizability (6) Software skill set (7) Perceived accuracy of response (8) Overall opinion via open ended responses. There will be a minimum of 20 SLP participants. Based on our research findings, we hypothesize that GoTalk NOW Plus will be less favored amongst SLPs for the ASD population, with barriers including lack of knowledge, difficulties with customization, and lack of room for growth of vocabulary. These findings imply the need for further research, an increase in information to be provided on GoTalk NOW Plus to clinicians, and that the application may be best suited for early language learners.