Development of a multiskilling training module for caregivers in augmentative and alternative communication to enhance the language and communication skills of children with developmental disabilities

Abstract

The study and#8213;Development of a Multi-skill Training Module in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) for Caregivers to enhance Communication Skills In Children with Disabilitiesand#8214; was conducted in the city of Bangalore, India. Caregivers in the age range of 25-40years and children with developmental disabilities in the age range of 6-10years were subjects for this experimental pre test posttest group design study. A random selection of subjects was made from 8 specials schools in Bangalore. The subjects were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups so that each group had 24 subjects respectively. The children were assessed for candidacy for symbolic augmented systems on Augmentative Communication Assessment Protocol for Symbolic Augmentative Systems (ACAP-SAS, Gamel-McCormick and Dymond, 1994). The study was conducted in phases. In phase 1, the experimental group of caregivers was given a 3 day training workshop with the training module developed for the study. The total duration of the workshop was 21 hrs. On completion of the training, the caregivers implemented the training through activities with children for 15 sessions under the newlineguidance of the investigator. The control group of caregivers was given a half-day seminar on speech language concepts and AAC. This group continued with regular activities with the children. In phase 2, the experimental group of children received AAC training from experimental group of caregivers for 15 consecutive sessions under the guidance of the investigator. After completion of 15 sessions the skills of experimental and control group caregivers were measured during their interaction with children on the Observational schedule for caregivers (OSC) developed for the purposes of the study. The OSC assessed the ability newlineof caregivers in signing, using alternative modes for comprehension, providing opportunities for communication and communication style.