Measuring Potential to Use Alternative Communication Strategies: Dependent vs. Independent Communicators

Lasker, Joanne and Garrett, Kathryn
Measuring Potential to Use Alternative Communication Strategies: Dependent vs. Independent Communicators. In Clinical Aphasiology Conference: Clinical Aphasiology Conference (2005 : 35th : Sanibel Island, FL : May 31-June 4, 2005) / : (2005).

Abstract

It can be challenging to determine clients’ potential for success with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) techniques. The authors administered a cognitive-behavioral assessment protocol to four clients with severe expressive aphasia. The following author-designed measures successfully differentiated between partner-dependent vs. independent strategy users: (1) The Multimodal Communication Screening Task for People with Aphasia; (2) AAC Systems Trials for Communicators with Aphasia; and (3) Characteristics of Communicators with Aphasia Checklist. Scores from standard cognitive assessments were less helpful than the preceding measures at identifying clients’ abilities to use AAC strategies and tools. Clinical implications for AAC decision-making will be discussed.