Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs

by David R. Beukelman, Pat Mirenda

As AAC use continues to flourish and new technology revolutionizes the field, tomorrow's service providers need current, authoritative information on AAC for children and adults with communication disorders. That's why David Beukelman and Pat Mirenda have revised and updated the bestselling Augmentative and Alternative Communication—the trusted, widely adopted graduate-level text on communication disorders and AAC. The foundational textbook for SLPs, OTs, PTs, teachers, and other professionals in clinical and educational settings, this fourth edition is a definitive introduction to AAC processes, interventions, and technologies that help people best meet their daily communication needs. Future professionals will prepare for their work in the field with critical new information on
advancing literacy skills (new chapter by Janice Light and David McNaughton)
conducting effective, culturally appropriate assessment to determine AAC needs
choosing AAC interventions appropriate for age and ability
selecting AAC vocabulary tailored to individual needs
using new consumer technologies as easy, affordable, and non-stigmatizing communication devices
understanding types of symbols and how individuals use them
promoting social competence

supporting language learning and development

providing effective support to beginning communicators

planning an inclusive education for students with complex communication needs
Readers will get a thorough overview of communication and AAC issues for people with specific developmental disabilities (including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and autism) and acquired disabilities (such as aphasia, traumatic brain injury, and degenerative cognitive and linguistic disorders). And with helpful photos, figures, and photocopiable forms, readers will be ready to collect and use important information on assessment, individual communication needs, classroom supports, and more. An essential core text for tomorrow's professionals—and a key reference for inservice practitioners—this new fourth edition expertly prepares readers to support the communicative competence of children and adults with a wide range of complex needs.

What's new:


New literacy chapter
Extensive updates reflecting current consumer technology
Helpful end-of-chapter study questions
Updated resource sections and glossary
All the latest research and best practices in every chapter

Genres: Nonfiction, Textbooks, School

616 pages, Hardcover

First published January 18, 2005

Reviews

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's good reason this textbook is in its fourth edition. Comprehensive information is presented concisely with plenty of real-life examples. It also contains numerous references, including possibly every single journal article or book relevant to the topic.

I found a couple of things especially helpful: firstly, that AAC programs need to "invest in the future" (p.207) (that is, start working on long-term goals contemporaneously with the immediately usable, simpler program), and secondly the whole chapter on literacy (chapter 12).

The text places a strong focus on getting input from the people with CCN (complex communication needs) themselves, as they can come up with important suggestions. For example, on p123 it mentions a study where people with CCN suggested the need for AAC devices to enable private conversations when necessary, which is a feature the programmers may not have thought of. I'm not sure if ProLoquo2Go enables a silent mode for private conversations - nothing useful came up in a quick search.

I didn't read Part III, which relates to individuals with acquired disabilities.

Throughout the entire text I only took issue with the contents once, on pages 189-190 where it describes a staff member who refused to allow profanity to be programmed into some men's AAC devices. This refusal is described scathingly and not discussed. However, parents of neurotypical children often make the same choice as the staff member, by shielding their children from swearing and asking those in the children's vicinity to mind their language. Reasons for this may include that the children are too young to be aware of when and if repeating the coarse language would be acceptable. If a person with CCN is at the developmental age of a child, then wanting to shield that person from profanity could be quite reasonable, given that it may be a goal for the person to behave in a socially appropriate manner. Of course, in the case study described it is likely that the men were of a developmental age to gauge whether or not coarse language would be acceptable in the social context.

Note for the fifth edition - Victoria is a state, not a "province" of Australia, just as California is not a "province" of the US.

[Cherish Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4☆ Would recommend)
Great textbook. It is well laid out and well written. Very resourceful.

[Fletcher Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply studied and compassionately written. For children and adults, it really offers comprehensive knowledge about augmentative and complementary communication.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read. It really covers a lot of information in an accessible way. I don't mind reading it which is good for a textbook. Color pictures might be nice instead of all of them being black and white, but that is just nitpicking.

I probably won't actually read every chapter, at least not this year...