A scoping review of AAC research conducted in segregated school settings

Abstract

Background: School education for children with severe disabilities tends to occur in restricted or segregated settings, especially for students who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

Aim: We sought to understand the role played by AAC, especially in supporting students' academic learning and social participation in studies conducted in segregated school settings.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review, searching five databases, supplemented by hand, ancestral and forward citation searches of studies published from 2000 to 2020 involving compulsory school-aged students and featuring AAC. Data were extracted and summarized regarding study and participant characteristics, and key findings.

Result: Our search yielded 141 studies conducted in a segregated setting (n = 129) or mixed settings (n = 12). Most studies focused on communication skills (n = 69); academic skills (n = 27) and social participation (n = 17) were addressed to a far lesser extent.

Conclusions: Research into students requiring or using AAC has focused on teaching communication skills and far less on academic learning and social activities of classrooms and schools. There is a need for research that extends beyond functional communication into how AAC can promote access to these key aspects of school education.

Keywords: Augmentative and alternative communication; Complex communication needs; School education; Systematic review.