BARRIERS AND SOLUTIONS IN THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE AND AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION: A PILOT DESCRIPTIVE STUDY PRESENTING INSIGHTS FROM ARMENIAN PROFESSIONALS.

BACKGROUND

Individuals with severe disabilities often require Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) systems to support their communication needs. However, the implementation of AAC is frequently hindered by a lack of awareness among professionals and insufficient prioritization within healthcare systems.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The online survey method was used to collect data from the participating professionals for the report. We used the Tennessee Talks Virtual AAC Institute questionnaire.

RESULTS

This paper identifies three main factors contributing to the limited use of AAC: high rural populations and economic challenges leading to inadequate rehabilitation services, lack of prioritization of communication rehabilitation by healthcare management, and limited awareness of AAC's potential benefits. Additionally, professionals' prior experiences and motivations significantly influence the adoption of AAC systems.

CONCLUSIONS

To enhance the effective use of AAC, it is essential to provide instruction aligned with the specific needs and cultural contexts of local communities, ideally facilitated by experienced professionals. By exploring the current AAC practices and barriers faced by professionals in Armenia, this study aimed to develop strategies and programs that promote the broader adoption and effectiveness of AAC systems in practice.