Evidence-based practice in augmentative and alternative communication.

An evidence-based practice (EBP) approach to clinical and educational practice emphasizes the importance of integrating sound research evidence into the decision-making process. This paper provides a discussion of the relevance of EBP to the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AAC: Augmentative & Alternative Communication Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 1 - 22
Main Authors: Schlosser RW, Raghavendra P
Format: review tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Taylor & Francis Ltd Mar2004
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Description
Summary:An evidence-based practice (EBP) approach to clinical and educational practice emphasizes the importance of integrating sound research evidence into the decision-making process. This paper provides a discussion of the relevance of EBP to the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Included is an examination of what is currently known about decision-making in AAC, as well as a brief history of EBP and its application in other fields. A definition of EBP in AAC is proposed and a schematic of the EBP process is described, including proposed design hierarchies of evidence. This process is then illustrated with a case example. Finally, key factors for the adoption of EBP in AAC are discussed.