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The conference paper "Utility of ICF for Describing Changes in Interaction and Participation" is presented. The paper will be presented at the 12th Biennial Conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Dusseldorf, Germany from July 29 to August 5, 2006. It discusses the evaluation of interventions as it shows how communication affects the quality of life of an individual.

Chapter 8 of the book "International Society for Augmentative & Alternative Communication" is presented. It highlights the measuring of the outcome of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention. It also focuses on several themes including ethics, blending continuous quality improvement with AAC outcomes and multidimensionality of outcomes.

An educational need is a need that can be satisfied by means of a learning experience. In addition an educational need defines a prerequisite for a certain state. A specified state is the desired outcome/outcomes of inservice training. Desired outcomes can be analyzed from two interrelated perspectives: level of outcome (society, organization, individual and person with disabilities) type of outcome (remediation of deficiences in existing knowledge and skills and/or prerequisites for changing needs and service contexts). This paper raises several issues regarding the two outcome perspectives and their relation to the process of training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the author's reaction to the presentation of Iréne Johansson, which was delivered during the First International Society for Augmentative and Alternate Communication Symposium held in Stockholm, Sweden. The author agrees with Johansson's view on the function of impairments of mentally retarded persons and their communication. He believes that it is important to define the theoretical construct of cognitive impairment and its relations to other theoretical constructs.

The conference paper "Presymbolic Children in Sweden Interaction, Family Accommodation and Social Network" is presented. The paper will be presented at the 12th Biennial Conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication to be held in Dusseldorf, Germany on July 29, 2006 to August 5, 2006. It investigates the development of interaction between children and caregivers in relation to the family's accommodations of their routines in everyday life.

The conference paper "ICF - a methodology in assessment and outcomes evaluation in AAC-interventions" is presented. The paper will be presented at the 12th Biennial Conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Dusseldorf, Germany from July 29 to August 5, 2006. It discusses the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, a metatheory in assessment and outcomes evaluation in augmentative and alternative communication interventions.

The article reports on the introduction of goal setting and problem solving with individuals with cognitive disorders who use augmentative and alternative communication devices. Several approaches are used in applying collaborative problem solving and goal setting techniques among respondents. Participants were asked to relate their experiences in order to maximize the involvement process.

This paper presents the study of nine preschool children with severe multiple disabilities and their communicative ability observed in two settings. The main purpose of the study was to investigate to what extent the use of different communicative functions was related to individual and to situational variables. Data were analyzed in a three tiered model combining the group results with individual patterns. The results indicate some correlations between type and degree of disabilities and communicative ability. Strong relationship was found between situational setting and the type of communicative function used. The children seemed to use their abilities differently, though their manner of adaption was synonymous regardless of situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the assessment in communication intervention as an integral part of every step in the intervention process. Assessment is understood as part of a problem-solving process which lasts throughout the whole intervention cycle. The primary purpose of intervention is to support persons with disabilities in their functioning and to promote the quality of life in the long run for the individual and his family.

The article discusses the role of family in the application and enhancement of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). It states that family posts a significant role in helping the children learn how to use AAC. In addition, programs in collaboration with other communication providers can also contribute to the success of AAC.

The article discusses the issues in the research about the establishment of the efficacy of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention. Accountability for the effectiveness of AAC services should not be based on one's intervention decisions on experience, common sense, and clinical judgment. Issues include subject selection criteria, experimental designs, intervention goal selection, instructional procedures, behavior-change measurements and outcome evaluation.