Guidelines for enhancing reciprocal peer communication with adolescents who use augmentative/alternative communication

This research project examined the context and interaction variables that were associated with reciprocity in communication interaction between adolescents using augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) systems and their non-disabled peers. The participants were five adolescents with physical and/or cognitive disabilities who communicated with various AAC systems and the non-disabled peers in their high school homeroom classes. Six interactive and communicative behaviors were coded on-line by investigators during 15 minute unstructured homeroom sessions. These interactions were coded for reciprocity, and situational variables that distinguished episodes of high and low reciprocity were compared. Results indicated clusters of context/interaction patterns that tended to co-occur with more balanced levels of communication behaviors between the interactants observed. Results are discussed in terms of seven specific guidelines that provide implications for clinical practice.