Development of a Web-Based Augmentative Alternative Communication System for People with Aphasia (2011)

Undergraduate: Anna Styers

Faculty Advisor: Katarina Haley
Department: Communication Studies

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This study's purpose was to determine the feasibility of a pictorially based needs assessment for developing customized augmentative alternative communication (AAC) systems for people with aphasia and to obtain preliminary feedback about a new web-based AAC system run through a portable electronic device. Research questions addressed from the project were the following: Does pictorial card sorting methodology prove to be a beneficial and effective way to obtain content for AAC devices from people with aphasia?
Is a web-based AAC system with limited layers and easy navigation tactics on a portable electronic device received well by a person with non-fluent aphasia? Beukelman and his colleagues have previously developed methods for assessing and preparing the input of AAC devices for persons with aphasia. In a published aphasia needs assessment (Garrett and Beukelman, 1997), the person’s interests and communication needs are surveyed via verbal questions and checklists (Beukelman, Garrett, and Yorkston, 2007). In this investigation, this protocol was modified and administered with the support of clip art, photographs, and sketches that depict the content of interest. This was a case study in which a person with non-fluent aphasia was given a needs assessment, supplemented by the Life Interest and Values cards (LIV)(Haley et. al, 2010) and modified cards to identify initial topics, themes, and goals that the participant wanted to include within their electronic AAC device.