Communication Partner Instruction in AAC: Present Practices and Future Directions

TLDR

Successful communication depends on the skills of all participants, and for individuals using AAC, partner skills are equally critical. This paper proposes an eight‑step strategic model for communication partner instruction and outlines future research directions. The model consists of eight sequential steps designed to train partners in facilitative interaction skills. Evidence shows that instruction enables partners to acquire facilitative skills that better support AAC users.

Abstract

The success of communicative interaction is dependent on the communication skills of each individual participating in the exchange. Accordingly, in the case of an interaction involving an individual using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), the success of the interaction depends not only on the skills of this individual, but also on those of the communication partner. Current literature indicates that communication partner instruction is a critical intervention component. Furthermore, there is evidence that, with instruction, communication partners can learn to use facilitative interaction skills and strategies to better support the communication of individuals using AAC. To date, however, little attention has been paid to the most effective and efficient instructional methods for communication partner intervention programs. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an eight-step strategic model for use in communication partner instruction programs, and identify future research directions related to this model.