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AAC AND FAMILY ISSUES

This issue focuses on families and AAC. Someday someone will write a book. For now, that endeavor would be premature. Surprisingly, beyond a shared belief that families underlie the success of AAC users and of our practices in AAC, we don't really have much information. What do the families of AAC users expect from AAC professionals? What is the impact on a family when someone has severe communication impairment? What do families do that results in individuals establishing friendships, developing literacy skills, living independently and feeling good about themselves? What are effective ways to support AAC users and their families across the life span? How do the roles of family members (including individuals who use AAC) shift over time? What impact does technology have on communication dynamics within a family? In addition to raising questions, this issue is designed to share some thoughts and to encourage AAC researchers, manufacturers, policy makers and service providers to address family matters more rigorously.

Click on a title below to read the article

1. What isand who is a family? Considers the definition of "family." It also introduces the concept of family as a system.
2. Collaboration and Continuity. The family-centered approach. Gives practical suggestions for collaborating with families.
3. AAC devices: Impact on Families. Focuses specifically on the impact of assistive technology on the family and gives many tips for practitioners.
4. Being family centered in AAC. Focuses specifically on the impact of assistive technology on the family.
5. ISAAC’s 1994 Research Symposium: Session on family-focused research.Reviews the ISAAC 1994 Research Symposium session on family-focused research and suggests that AAC has a "missing research agenda."
6. References
7. Resources. Lists people who helped the author think about families and family issues that relate to AAC interventions.

Please note: You may order a back issue of ACN Volume 7, # 6

containing all of the articles listed here by clicking on Ordering

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