Understanding Implementation Variables: Interviews with School SLPs Who Work with Children Using AAC
Open Access
Author:
Rucci, Gina
Area of Honors:
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Jessica Gosnell Caron, Thesis Supervisor Carol Anne Miller, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
AAC CCN Literacy SLPs curricula
Abstract:
Only 10% of individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) leave high school with functional literacy skills. Access to and implementation of quality adapted literacy instruction has been documented as a barrier to better outcomes. Interviews to understand lived experiences of those providing literacy instruction to individuals who use AAC is an important perspective in order to inform future curricula development. This qualitative research paper implemented an a priori framework analysis to understand key implementation variables (acceptability, feasibility, adoption appropriateness, fidelity, and sustainability) through interviews with 10 school speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with children using AAC. The results give insight on literacy curriculum adaptation and needs, how decisions about curricula are made, and supports required for sustained use and high-fidelity implementation of adapted literacy instruction for students who use AAC.