Screening Clients for an Augmentative and Alternative Communication Clinic

Abstract

The aim of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services is to support, enhance, or provide alternative methods of communication for individuals who are not independent verbal communicators. However, relatively little evaluative research has been conducted with adult AAC users. The establishment ofFreeportHospitalsAC Clinicfor adults included the development of questionnaires to gather information for the selection and provision of services for its clients. The present study addresses the issue reliability and validity of three novel measures contained within the AAC Clinic's Background Information Questionnaire using a multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) design. Results from this evaluation are discussed in terms of clinical application and policy development.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Allen, M. J. , & Yen, W. M. (1979). Introduction to measurement theory. Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Beukelman, D. R. , & Garrett, K. L. (1988). Augmentative and alternative communication for adults with acquired severe communication disorders. AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 4, 104-121.

Blaikie, N.W.H. (1991). A critique of the use of triangulation in social research. Quality & Quantity, 25, 115-136.

Campbell, D. T. , & Fiske, D. (1959). Convergent and discriminant validation by the multitrait-multimethod matrix. Psychological Bulletin, 56(2), 81-105.

Carmines, E. G. , & Zeller, R. A. (1979). Reliability and validity assessment. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

Culp, D. M. (1987). Outcome measurement: The impact of communication augmentation. Seminars in Speech and Language, 8(2), 169-185.

Ellis-Hale, K. A. , & Hirdes, J. P. (in press). The risk of institutionalization associated with communication disability among the elderly.

Hirdes, J. P. , Ellis-Hale, K. A. , & Pearson Hirdes, B. (1993). The prevalence and policy implications of verbal communication impairments among adults. AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 9(4), 273-280.

Hirdes, J. P. , & Martin, N. J. (1993). The specific levels of active intervention in a chronic care hospital. Journal ofApplied Gerontology, 12(2), 125-138.

10.

Kishner, B. , & Guyatt, G. (1985). A methodological framework for assessing health indices. Journal of Chronic Diseases, 38, 27-36.

11.

Light, J. , McNaughton, D. , & Parnes, P. (1986). A protocolfor the assessment of communicative interaction skills of nonspeaking severely handicapped adults and their facilitators. Toronto: Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation Centre.

12.

Nicolosi, L. , Harryman, E. , & Kresheck, J. (1989). Terminology of communication disorders: Speech-language-hearing. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.

13.

Sorin-Peters, R. , Tse, S. , & Kapelus, G. (1989). Communication screeningprogram forageriatric continuing care unit. Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 13(4), 63-70.

14.

Streiner, D. L. , & Norman, G. R. (1989). Health measurement scales: A practical guide to their development and use. New York: Oxford University Press.