Parents’ perspectives of an Australian augmentative and alternative communication service: “I clapped for my child”

Abstract

Australia’s new funding model, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), provides funding directly to the individual for reasonable and necessary supports. Parents’ perspectives of supporting a child with complex communication needs can inform future practice. The aim of this article is to examine parents’ perspectives of a communication service, their early experiences of the new funding model, and implications for future services. A mobile communication aid consultancy service, Kids Chat 2 You, was used to provide information and practical communication resources to participants ahead of the NDIS rollout in each region in Victoria, Australia. Parents of nine children with complex communication needs who attended Kids Chat 2 You participated in interviews. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: accessing information; unrelenting responsibility; and looking to the future. Parents considered their role pivotal in supporting their child’s communication. They sought information and suitable services, and spoke of needing engagement from family, educators, disability professionals, and the community. Access to services and supports and collaboration with education and community sectors both presented as barriers within the new context of individualised support packages. A family-centred collaborative approach that addresses the needs of children with complex communication needs is recommended. The extent to which parents can access holistic augmentative and alternative communication supports poses a particular test of the success of the NDIS.

Keywords:

• Augmentative and alternative communication
• complex communication needs
• parents
• service models
• National Disability Insurance Scheme
• intellectual disability

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the family members for participating in the interviews.

Disclosure statement

The second author was a coordinator of the Kids Chat 2 You service.

Additional information

Funding

Thank you to the generosity of the Bowness Family Foundation, Scope Australia, and Westfield for providing funding.