Using Visual Scene Displays as Communication Support Options for People with Chronic, Severe Aphasia: A Summary of AAC Research and Future Research Directions

Abstract

Research about the effectiveness of communicative supports and advances in photographic technology has prompted changes in the way speech-language pathologists design and implement interventions for people with aphasia. The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of photographic images as a basis for developing communication supports for people with chronic aphasia secondary to sudden-onset events due to cerebrovascular accidents (strokes). Topics include the evolution of AAC-based supports as they relate to people with aphasia, the development and key features of visual scene displays (VSDs), and future directions concerning the incorporation of photographs into communication supports for people with chronic and severe aphasia.

Keywords::

• Communication
• Aphasia
• Photographs
• Visual scene displays
• Augmentative and alternative communication

Note

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the people with chronic, severe aphasia, their families, and caregivers who served as participants in our research program. We also appreciate the ongoing advice and encouragement that we received from our partners in the RERC for AAC.

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

This publication was produced in part under Grants H113980026 and H133E140026 from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the grantee and do not necessarily reflect those of NIDRR or the Department of Education.

Notes

1. Dynavox Maestro, Tobii-Dynavox, Pittsburgh, PA.