Efficacy of Visual Support Implementation Training Program for Student Speech-language Pathologists

Background: Training in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is essential, especially for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as they are involved in the assessment and management of users of AAC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the visual support implementation program by sensitizing and creating awareness among SLPs who work with children with autism spectrum disorders. Methods: Quasi experimental study was carried out in two phases. Phase 1 involved developing resources for visual support implementation training programs such as module and questionnaires to assess the knowledge, skills, and validation of the developed materials, involving five SLPs and five occupational therapists. Phase 2 consisted of testing the effectiveness of a visual support implementation training program, such as pre-knowledge and skill assessment, and conducting workshops and post-knowledge and skill assessment comprising sixty student SLPs. Inferential statistics, Cronbach’s alpha test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to check the reliability measure. Results: Overall reliability between SLPs and occupational therapists using Cronbach’s alpha score measured was greater than 0.70 indication excellent reliability. A significant difference was found between pre- and post-training scores at P < .05 level. Conclusion: Visual support training modules can be used as teaching material for SLPs in academic and clinical setup. Guidelines can be adapted for developing and implementing of visual support strategies during speech and language intervention program based on the module.