Boster Jamie B, McCarthy John W
a Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders , Ohio University , Athens , OH , USA.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2018 May;13(4):353-365. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2017.1324526. Epub 2017 May 10.
The purpose of this study was to gain insight from speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) regarding appealing features of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) applications.
Two separate 1-hour focus groups were conducted with 8 SLPs and 5 parents of children with ASD to identify appealing design features of AAC Apps, their benefits and potential concerns. Participants were shown novel interface designs for communication mode, play mode and incentive systems. Participants responded to poll questions and provided benefits and drawbacks of the features as part of structured discussion.
SLPs and parents identified a range of appealing features in communication mode (customization, animation and colour-coding) as well as in play mode (games and videos). SLPs preferred interfaces that supported motor planning and instruction while parents preferred those features such as character assistants that would appeal to their child. Overall SLPs and parents agreed on features for future AAC Apps.
SLPs and parents have valuable input in regards to future AAC app design informed by their experiences with children with ASD. Both groups are key stakeholders in the design process and should be included in future design and research endeavors. Implications for Rehabilitation AAC applications for the iPad are often designed based on previous devices without consideration of new features. Ensuring the design of new interfaces are appealing and beneficial for children with ASD can potentially further support their communication. This study demonstrates how key stakeholders in AAC including speech language pathologists and parents can provide information to support the development of future AAC interface designs. Key stakeholders may be an untapped resource in the development of future AAC interfaces for children with ASD.
本研究旨在从言语语言病理学家（SLP）和自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童的家长那里了解关于辅助和替代沟通（AAC）应用程序的吸引人的特征。
分别与8名言语语言病理学家和5名自闭症谱系障碍儿童的家长进行了两个时长为1小时的焦点小组讨论，以确定AAC应用程序吸引人的设计特征、其益处和潜在问题。向参与者展示了用于沟通模式、游戏模式和激励系统的新颖界面设计。参与者回答了民意调查问题，并在结构化讨论中提供了这些特征的优缺点。
言语语言病理学家和家长确定了沟通模式（定制、动画和颜色编码）以及游戏模式（游戏和视频）中的一系列吸引人的特征。言语语言病理学家更喜欢支持运动规划和指导的界面，而家长则更喜欢那些能吸引孩子的特征，如角色助手。总体而言，言语语言病理学家和家长就未来AAC应用程序的特征达成了一致。
言语语言病理学家和家长凭借他们与自闭症谱系障碍儿童相处的经验，对未来AAC应用程序的设计有着宝贵的见解。这两个群体都是设计过程中的关键利益相关者，应纳入未来的设计和研究工作中。对康复的启示iPad的AAC应用程序通常基于以前的设备进行设计，而没有考虑新功能。确保新界面的设计对自闭症谱系障碍儿童有吸引力且有益，可能会进一步支持他们的沟通。本研究展示了包括言语语言病理学家和家长在内的AAC关键利益相关者如何能够提供信息以支持未来AAC界面设计的开发。关键利益相关者可能是开发自闭症谱系障碍儿童未来AAC界面时未被开发的资源。
