Augmentative and alternative communication with children with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities: speech language pathologists’ clinical practices and reasoning

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is recommended to be included in communication interventions directed at children/youth with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (S/PIMD). Even so, the evidence base for AAC practices with children with S/PIMD is limited. Also, little is known about how frequently AAC is implemented with this target group, which AAC tools and methods are applied, and the related clinical reasoning of speech-language pathologists (SLPs). This study aimed to explore SLPs’ beliefs, clinical reasoning and practices in relation to AAC implementation with children/youth with S/PIMD. In this sequential, mixed-methods study, 90 SLPs working with children with disabilities within habilitation services in Sweden participated in an online survey. The survey answers were statistically analysed. Subsequently, focus group data were collected from seven SLPs and analysed using thematic analysis. Despite AAC being highly prioritized, SLPs found it challenging and complex to implement with this target group. A wide variety of AAC methods and tools were considered and implemented. Clinical decision-making was a balancing act between competing considerations and was mainly guided by the SLPs’ individual, clinical experiences. The resources, engagement and wishes of the social network surrounding the child were considered crucial for clinical decision-making on AAC. Implications for research and practice are discussed.Implications for rehabilitationSpeech-language pathologists (SLPs) seemingly find a wide variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), ranging from unaided methods to assistive technology of various complexity, to be potentially suitable for children/youth with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (S/PIMD).The motivation and preferences of the social network surrounding the child with S/PIMD seem to influence SLPs’ clinical decision-making on AAC to a high degree. Sometimes this may be considered an even more important factor than the abilities of the child.SLPs’ clinical decision-making on AAC for children/youth is guided by their individual, clinical experience to a high degree.An increase in family oriented AAC intervention research targeting individuals with S/PIMD could potentially strengthen the association between research and the current, experience-based clinical practice. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) seemingly find a wide variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), ranging from unaided methods to assistive technology of various complexity, to be potentially suitable for children/youth with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (S/PIMD). The motivation and preferences of the social network surrounding the child with S/PIMD seem to influence SLPs’ clinical decision-making on AAC to a high degree. Sometimes this may be considered an even more important factor than the abilities of the child. SLPs’ clinical decision-making on AAC for children/youth is guided by their individual, clinical experience to a high degree. An increase in family oriented AAC intervention research targeting individuals with S/PIMD could potentially strengthen the association between research and the current, experience-based clinical practice.