Augmentative and alternative communication for speaking autistic adults: Overview and recommendations

Added on 06/10/2024

Type de contenu

Journal article of the type Perspective ( ; english)

Alyssa Hillary Zisk * , Elizabeth Dalton
Augmentative and alternative communication for speaking autistic adults: Overview and recommendations published in the journal "Autism in adulthood" n°1, vol.2, 8 pages , doi: 10.1089/aut.2018.0007

*One co-author has publicly identified as autistic. [Learn more about this mention]

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Summary/Presentation

In recent years, technologies used for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) have seen increasing development and availability. As a result, more and more autistic people are using AAC. With the increased use of AAC by autistic people, research on autism and AAC has also increased. However, the vast majority of this research focuses on nonspeaking autistic children. AAC use by autistic adults and by speaking autistic people has received limited academic attention. Speaking autistic adults often use AAC and many have publicly shared information about their strategies and experiences. In this article, we provide an overview of the speech differences autistic adults choose to support through AAC, including varying difficulties with speech depending on environment and content. We also discuss the technologies and strategies adopted by autistic adults, including free or low-cost tools that are not specific to AAC, mobile technologies, and signed languages or gestures. We explore barriers to AAC use, including a lack of awareness of relevant options, misconceptions about who AAC supports are for, and the cost of dedicated AAC applications or devices. We then provide suggestions for autistic adults, people supporting autistic adults, and researchers. Overall communication—rather than speech—should be prioritized. Mainstream communication technologies can support communication for autistic adults and a variety of tools can support communication across contexts. Further research into the use and effectiveness of AAC for autistic adults is needed, as is research on barriers to AAC use.

For your information:

(1) References in blue are resources listed on our site.

(2) Authors listed in this bibliography whose names are in color have published other resources referenced on the site. Clicking on the name allows you to see the list of resources they have published and shared on the site.

(3) Authors whose names are followed by an asterisk have publicly disclosed being autistic.

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