{"title":"\"I don't think you can really understand it until you put it to action\": school-based SLPs' reflections on graduate and continuing education in AAC.","authors":"Jennifer J Thistle, Amber Thiessen, Jeffery Hart","doi":"10.1080/07434618.2023.2220794","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Graduate programs have made strides to improve augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) learning opportunities for pre-service speech-language pathologists (SLPs). In addition, a number of continuing education opportunities are available to practicing SLPs; however, many still report feeling underprepared to serve clients with AAC needs. The purpose of this study was to describe school-based SLPs' perspectives regarding their graduate training, on-the-job experience, and ongoing professional development needs related to AAC. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 17 school-based SLPs. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using a phenomenological approach, key themes emerged related to AAC knowledge and skills including a need for SLPs to rely on a framework for decision making, the importance of interprofessional training, and difficulties with staying abreast of new technology. The researchers present recommendations of principles and concepts for instructors to include in graduate AAC courses, as well as professional development considerations.</p>","PeriodicalId":49234,"journal":{"name":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","volume":" ","pages":"270-281"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1000,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2023.2220794","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2023/8/4 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Graduate programs have made strides to improve augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) learning opportunities for pre-service speech-language pathologists (SLPs). In addition, a number of continuing education opportunities are available to practicing SLPs; however, many still report feeling underprepared to serve clients with AAC needs. The purpose of this study was to describe school-based SLPs' perspectives regarding their graduate training, on-the-job experience, and ongoing professional development needs related to AAC. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 17 school-based SLPs. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using a phenomenological approach, key themes emerged related to AAC knowledge and skills including a need for SLPs to rely on a framework for decision making, the importance of interprofessional training, and difficulties with staying abreast of new technology. The researchers present recommendations of principles and concepts for instructors to include in graduate AAC courses, as well as professional development considerations.
期刊介绍:
As the official journal of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) publishes scientific articles related to the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) that report research concerning assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and education of people who use or have the potential to use AAC systems; or that discuss theory, technology, and systems development relevant to AAC. The broad range of topic included in the Journal reflects the development of this field internationally. Manuscripts submitted to AAC should fall within one of the following categories, AND MUST COMPLY with associated page maximums listed on page 3 of the Manuscript Preparation Guide.
Research articles (full peer review), These manuscripts report the results of original empirical research, including studies using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with both group and single-case experimental research designs (e.g, Binger et al., 2008; Petroi et al., 2014).
Technical, research, and intervention notes (full peer review): These are brief manuscripts that address methodological, statistical, technical, or clinical issues or innovations that are of relevance to the AAC community and are designed to bring the research community’s attention to areas that have been minimally or poorly researched in the past (e.g., research note: Thunberg et al., 2016; intervention notes: Laubscher et al., 2019).