Author： Angelo Dianne Kokoska Stephen Jones Sheila
Publisher： Informa Healthcare
ISSN： 0743-4618
Source： Augmentative & Alternative Communication, Vol.12, Iss.1, 1996-01, pp. : 13-22
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Abstract
In cooperation with the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Center of Harrisburg, a survey was conducted to gain information about families of adolescents and young adults between the ages of 13 to 21 years who use assistive devices to overcome severe speaking and writing impairments. The purpose of this study was to identify the needs, priorities, and preferences of mothers and fathers of older children for assistive devices and technology services. A total of 132 parents (i.e., 85 mothers and 47 fathers) representing 97 families responded to the survey. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Both mothers and fathers expressed priority needs for increasing knowledge of assistive devices and planning for future communication needs. Among the mothers' other priorities were needs for having social opportunities for the AAC adolescent with nonhandicapped peers, integrating assistive devices in the community, and having social opportunities for the AAC adolescent with other assistive device users. Fathers indicated needs for knowing how to maintain or repair an assistive device, integrating assistive devices at home, integrating assistive devices in educational settings, knowing how to program an assistive device, and getting computer access for their AAC adolescent. The importance of needs assessment is discussed and implications for family-based assessment and intervention practices in AAC are addressed.
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