“Giving Them a Voice is Worth the Time and Effort”: Case-Based Content Analysis of Family Experiences With AAC

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) provides a means of effective communication for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are unable to consistently communicate using traditional verbal speech. Families are a critical piece to understanding the use and integration of AAC devices for individuals with IDD. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived facilitators, barriers, and recommendations for AAC use and integration from the lived experiences of 12 families. Using a case-based content analysis of a single-use online survey, each respondent was treated as an individual case with systematic analysis occurring within- and across-cases to identify cross-case patterns for AAC usage and implementation. Nine core themes emerged across cases with school-based personnel as the most saturated influence on one's experience. Specifically, school-based personnel's attitudes, knowledge, and expectations of their students with IDD who use AAC either enabled or hindered meaningful AAC use and integration. Cross-case recommendations parallel prior research suggesting strong collaboration efforts between school-based personnel and families, increased professional training and knowledge, access to family-level experiences, and a commitment to presume competence and have high expectations of students with IDD who use AAC to communicate.