iPads, Mobile Technologies, and Communication Applications: A Survey of Family Wants, Needs, and Preferences

Abstract

Families of children with communication disabilities were surveyed to explore wants and preferences relative to mobile media technology, including iPads, as a form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The families surveyed reported wanting information and support from professionals, including speech language pathologists (SLPs), who are knowledgeable about AAC. These families wanted devices to meet their children's individual needs and reported that ease of use and affordability were the most influential characteristics in the purchase of mobile media devices and communication applications. SLPs who understand family decision making can utilize collaborative clinical decision making that respects families’ wants and needs, while also focusing on device feature matching and family education.

Keywords::

• AAC
• Mobile technology
• iPads
• Families
• Preferences

Notes

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant from the United States Office of Special Education, Department of Education [Grant #H325K080327]. This study was conducted as part of a master's thesis.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Supplementary material available online

Supplementary Appendix to be found online at http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/07434618.2014.995223

Notes

1. IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the US and other countries and is used under license.

2. Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

3. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

4. The Autism Society of America website is http://www.autism-society.org/

5. The website for Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City is http://www.kcdsg.org/

6. Down Syndrome Guild organizations in other states and regions have individual websites and Facebook pages.

7. The Families Together, Inc. website is http://www.familiestogetherinc.org/

8. The United Cerebral Palsy website is http://www.ucp.org/

9. The Organization for Autism Research website is http://www.researchautism.org/

10. Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.