Ogletree, B. T., & Harn, W. E. (2001). Augumentative and alternative communication for persons with autism: history, issues, and unanswered questions. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 16, 138-140.
AAC commentary
Since AAC is an independent area in assistive technology, I need to separate AAC area from the review.
A precise definition of AAC?
AAC is an area of inquiry and practice emphasizing “the supplementation or replacement of natural speech and/or writing using aided and/ or unaided symbols…” (p.524).
“What are the consequences of a child’s profound impairment in joint attention for an interventionist attempting to introduce a visual-based AAC system? ” (p.139, )
Individuals with autism have relatively stronger visual-spatial abilities (Koul, Schlosser, & Sancibrian). However, the relative strength of children with autism in visual-spatial abilities may be at least partly mitigated by a profound disturbance of joint attention skill development (Mundy, Sigman, & Kasari, 1990).
Clearly much remains to be done to measure the impact of impaired joint attention on children’s use of AAC system.
AAC Review?
What is Your PASSION? 