‘So, how does one define a friendship?’: Identifying friendship among students using AAC in inclusive education settings^*

*The research was conducted at NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Abstract

The characteristics of friendships among children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) are not well understood. Research on friendships among children without disabilities has identified similarity to each other as a key characteristic among friends. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the friendships between students using AAC and fellow students in Norwegian mainstream public schools. Participants were students using AAC in first to fourth class, fellow students, parents, and staff. Data were analysed using a constructive grounded theory approach. The participants provided diverse reports about the friendships, although all students using AAC reported having friendships at school. The friendships were described by parents and staff as superficial and students using AAC were seldom perceived as playmates by fellow students. The results indicated that friendships between students using AAC and fellow students were often unilateral. The results are discussed along with the implications for future research.

Keywords:

• Friendship
• children
• inclusive education
• augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Acknowledgements

This manuscript is part of the first author’s doctoral dissertation.

Notes

* The research was conducted at NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

1. The first author has extensive expertise in AAC through many years of counselling related to children who use AAC from previous employment in the national service for special needs education in Norway (Statped).

2. Staff members reported that during communication, this student usually smiled when she answered ‘Yes’ on questions. When she answered ‘No’ she did not change her facial expression.