Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Adults with Aphasia: Science and Clinical Practice

Book excerpt: Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Adults with Aphasia is a text written for practising clinicians, undergraduate and graduate students, assistive technologists and other stakeholders who are interested in learning more about the communication needs and options for people with aphasia. Although there are several book chapters dedicated to aphasia in currently available textbooks in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), this is the first book dedicated entirely to AAC and aphasia. The book aims to: Provide an overview of aphasia and various treatment approaches. Provide a comprehensive review of AAC intervention approaches for persons with aphasia. Evaluate the efficacy of AAC intervention approaches that use technology, such as speech generating devices, and non-technological AAC approaches as part of a treatment package. Examine the ways in which techniques and strategies can be applied to persons with aphasia. Better understand how both direct stakeholders (i.e., persons with aphasia) as well as indirect stakeholders (e.g., close and extended family members, friends, paid caregivers) feel about the effectiveness of AAC intervention in persons with aphasia.