Construct validity of the family impact of assistive technology scale for augmentative and alternative communication

Abstract

The Family Impact of Assistive Technology Scale for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (FIATS-AAC) measures parent-reported functioning and factors that affect functioning in children who use AAC. The aim of the current study was to assess its construct validity. For the study, 47 parents of children with AAC needs completed the FIATS-AAC and two other parent-reported questionnaires: a child quality-of-life measure and a community participation measure. An interview was also conducted with a sub-set of six parents. The FIATS-AAC showed a significant correlation with the child quality-of-life measure, but no significant associations with the community participation measure. Interviews suggested some consistency between parents’ perceptions of their child’s communicative functioning after comparing their FIATS-AAC scores and interview responses. This study provides evidence for the emerging construct validity of the FIATS-AAC as a measure linked to psychosocial aspects of quality-of-life in children with AAC needs between the ages of 6- and 12-years.

Keywords:

• Complex communication needs
• validity
• children with disabilities
• aided AAC
• surveys and questionnaires

Disclosure statement

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

Notes

1 IBM® SPSS® Statistics 19 software is a product of IBM, Armonk, New York. www.ibm.com

2 The Accent 800 and the Vantage are products of Prentke Romich Company, Wooster, OH. www.prentrom.com

3 The iPad is a product of Apple Computers Inc., Cupertino, CA. www.apple.com