I-ASC: Identifying Appropriate Symbol Communication

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Identifying appropriate symbol communication aids for children who are non-speaking: enhancing clinical decision making

• IRAS ID

  186234

• Contact name

  Janice Murray

• Contact email

  J.murray@mmu.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Manchester Metropolitan University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 11 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  The ability to communicate is central to who we are as people. For children with little or no intelligible speech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) provides another route to communication and participation. AAC refers to the range of tools used to support or replace speech and includes electronic symbol communication aids that use graphic symbols, letters or whole words to convey a person’s message.
  Choosing the most appropriate symbol communication aid is a complex task. Assessments often take several appointments and involve a team that includes the child, their family and a range of clinicians (which may include both local and specialist providers). The process is time and resource intensive and when an aid is recommended, there is a need for continued input by the whole team in order for the aid to be an effective support.

  Current evidence suggests high levels of abandonment of symbol communication aids, possibly due to a lack of successful consideration of each individuals’ unique situation and sparse evidence to inform the decision making process. Poor decision-making harms both quality of life and life chances, resulting in significant negative impacts and costs to both specialised and local services
  This study will examine the clinical decision-making process from a range of stakeholder perspectives. The researchers will develop a prototype decision resource and guidance tool to improve clinical decision making in AAC through:
  1. A series of systematic reviews to analyse the existing evidence in the area.
  2. Interviews and focus groups with children, families and clinicians involved in decision-making.
  3. Two experimental studies to look at how clinicians make decisions
  4. A synthesis of the findings from 1-3 to develop a decision making guidance tool
  5. Testing and refining of the guidance tool.
  6. Sharing the learning with the AAC community through dissemination activities.

• REC name

  North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/NW/0165

• Date of REC Opinion

  13 Apr 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion