Senior Project Advisor

Thistle, Jennifer

Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Spring 2020

Keywords

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, AAC

Abstract

This project addressed the question “What myths and misconceptions about alternative and augmentative communication do graduate speech-language pathology and undergraduate special education students hold?” Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) is any form of nonverbal communication that is used to enhance or replace speech (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013). AAC is used by individuals of all ages, including children with developmental disorders and adults who have acquired disabilities. An estimated 4 million individuals in the United States cannot rely solely on speech to communicate, and could benefit from AAC (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013). Therefore, professionals must be educated about AAC, and in order to do this, gaps in curriculum must be identified and addressed. Professionals in speech language pathology and special education are most likely to encounter individuals who use AAC, yet these professions have very different curriculums. The entry level degree for special educators is a bachelor’s degree; for speech language pathologists it is a master’s degree, and not all preparation programs include content related to AAC. Participants were Western Washington University graduate students in speech language pathology and undergraduate students in special education. They completed a survey listing common myths about AAC. Results showed a statistical difference between overall survey scores of graduate students in speech language pathology and undergraduate students in special education. Further, both groups showed beliefs of several myths. This poster describes those myths and discusses the need for further education of professionals, as well as the general public.

Department

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Speech therapists--Public opinion; Special education teachers--Public opinion; People with disabilities--Means of communication; Communicative disorders--Rehabilitation; Speech therapy

Genre/Form

student projects; term papers

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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