Parkinson's disease and aided AAC: some evidence from practice.
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Date
2000Author
Armstrong, Linda
Jans, Deborah
MacDonald, Alison
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Armstrong, L., Jans, D. & MacDonald, A. (2000) Parkinson's disease and aided AAC: some evidence from practice., International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders., vol. 35, , pp. 377-389,
Abstract
Clinical observation that people with Parkinson's disease (PD) seem to have
diVerent training needs from other adult client-groups in developing eVective
use of aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) was the
catalyst for this study. There is little good-quality research evidence available
on the eVectiveness (or lack of eVectiveness) of aided AAC use by those with
PD. One of the main aims of this preliminary study, therefore, was to elicit the
experiences and attitudes of speech and language therapists in this speci_ c area
of their practice as the basis for future eYcacy research and clinical practice.
Thirty speech and language therapists were questioned about their experience
of introducing low- and high-tech AAC devices to this client-group. Of particular
interest was the discovery of the factors identi_ ed by the therapists as
in_ uencing their introduction of aided AAC to someone with PD and aVecting
implementation and successful use. The factors reported were both diseasespeci
_ c (e.g. motor problems) and more general factors (e.g. carer support)
relevant to the process of introducing aided AAC to other adult client-groups.
Implications for future research and practice are discussed. Some research
questions are posed and the inclusion of people with PD and their carers in
practice development is promoted.