Augmentative and Alternative Communication Essay

Augmentative and Alternative Communication - Essay Example k, a lot of research needs to be done in the field of developmental disabilities which have multifaceted and multilateral aspects that are not only complex by nature but they also need socio-psychological interventions, stretched over a period of time, involving extensive inter-personal communication. Of the various developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy is significantly different and encompasses a wide set of communication problem. Cerebral palsy is a disability where despite having a relatively high intelligence quotient, the person has almost no control over his locomotor parts including his speech, thus making communication extremely difficult. Though it affects muscle movements and synchronized coordination of body parts, it is not actually a muscular or neurological problem but abnormality in part of the brain that controls body coordination. It is, therefore, very important to address the need for an augmentative and alternative communication for the persons suffering from cerebral palsy. While there have been many studies that focused on improving linguistic, technical, and strategic competence, there is a scarcity of research on socio-relational competence. In order to enhance the participation of the persons affected with cerebral palsy in the development of the community, it is imperative that their socio-relational competencies be developed to the extent that they may start contributing to the socio-economic development of the society. Prior research indicated that providing access to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to communicate would not guarantee the development of communicative competence in disabled individuals. According to Light â€Å"for AAC users to reach communicative competence, four critical skills must be mastered namely linguistic competence; technical competence; socio-relational competence and strategic competence† (Light, Binger, Agate, & Ramsay, 1999). According to Mirenda (2003) â€Å"the behavioral