TY - JOUR
T1 - Children's ideas for the design of AAC assistive technologies for young children with complex comminucation needs
AU - Light, Janice
AU - Page, Rebecca
AU - Curran, Jennifer
AU - Pitkin, Laura
N1 - Funding Information:
This research project was completed as part of the Communication Enhancement Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (AAC-RERC). The AAC-RERC is a virtual research center that is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) of the U.S. Department of Education under grant number H133E980026. The opinions contained in this publication are those of the grantees and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Education. For additional information on the AAC-RERC, see http://www.aac-rerc.org/.
PY - 2007/12
Y1 - 2007/12
N2 - This study examined children's preferences and priorities for the design of assistive technologies to enhance communication for children with complex communication needs. Six children without disabilities were provided with drawing and craft materials and were asked to develop low-tech prototypes of inventions to support the communication of a young child who had significant speech and motor impairments. The design process and the inventions were analyzed using qualitative methods. Results showed that the children's inventions differed significantly from the designs of current AAC technologies. Their inventions were not simply speech prostheses; rather, they integrated multiple functions (e.g., communication, social interaction, companionship, play, artistic expression, telecommunications) and provided dynamic contexts to support social interactions with others, especially peers. The children characterized the systems as companions and utilized innovative names, bright colors, lights, transformable shapes, popular themes, humor, and amazing accomplishments to capture interest, enhance appeal, build self-esteem, and establish a positive social image. The systems were easily personalized to reflect the user's age, personality, attitude, interests, and preferences. Re-designing AAC technologies to incorporate these types of functions and features may increase their appeal and make them easier for young children to learn and use. Results are discussed with reference to implications for future research and development.
AB - This study examined children's preferences and priorities for the design of assistive technologies to enhance communication for children with complex communication needs. Six children without disabilities were provided with drawing and craft materials and were asked to develop low-tech prototypes of inventions to support the communication of a young child who had significant speech and motor impairments. The design process and the inventions were analyzed using qualitative methods. Results showed that the children's inventions differed significantly from the designs of current AAC technologies. Their inventions were not simply speech prostheses; rather, they integrated multiple functions (e.g., communication, social interaction, companionship, play, artistic expression, telecommunications) and provided dynamic contexts to support social interactions with others, especially peers. The children characterized the systems as companions and utilized innovative names, bright colors, lights, transformable shapes, popular themes, humor, and amazing accomplishments to capture interest, enhance appeal, build self-esteem, and establish a positive social image. The systems were easily personalized to reflect the user's age, personality, attitude, interests, and preferences. Re-designing AAC technologies to incorporate these types of functions and features may increase their appeal and make them easier for young children to learn and use. Results are discussed with reference to implications for future research and development.
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U2 - 10.1080/07434610701390475
DO - 10.1080/07434610701390475
M3 - Article
C2 - 17852057
AN - SCOPUS:36248967624
SN - 0743-4618
VL - 23
SP - 274
EP - 287
JO - AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
JF - AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
IS - 4
ER -