Social media experiences of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy who use augmentative and alternative communication

Abstract

Purpose: This pilot study aimed to expand the current understanding of how adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and complex communication needs use social media.

Method: An online focus group was used to investigate the social media experiences of seven individuals with CP who used Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Questions posed to the group related to social media: (a) advantages; (b) disadvantages; (c) barriers; (d) supports; and (e) recommendations.

Result: Adolescents with CP who use AAC used a range of communication media to participate in daily interactions, including social media. An analysis of the focus group interaction revealed that the participants used social media to: bypass the constraints of face-to-face interactions; communicate for a number of reasons (e.g. maintain relationships, share experiences); and support independent leisure (e.g. playing games, looking at pictures/videos). Despite the advantages, the participants discussed barriers including limitations related to AAC technologies, social media sites and literacy skills.

Conclusion: The results suggest that service providers should implement interventions to support social media use, including enhancement of linguistic, operational and strategic competence. Technology manufacturers should focus on improving the designs of AAC apps and social media sites to facilitate access by individuals who require AAC.

Keywords:

• Social media
• augmentative and alternative communication
• cerebral palsy
• focus group
• adolescents
• Facebook

Notes

1 Pinterest allows sharing and collecting through visual bookmarks (also called boards). Additional information is available from http://www.pinterest.com/

2 Instagram is a social networking services that allows sharing of photos and videos. Additional information is available from http://www.instagram.com/

3 Twitter is a social networking site that allows users to send and read messages with a maximum of 140 characters. Additional information is available from https://twitter.com/

4 Facebook is an online social networking service. Additional information is available from www.facebook.com

5 Snapchat is a video messaging application in which users can take photos, videos, and add text or drawings, and send them to recipients. Additional information is available from https://www.snapchat.com/

6 Google + is a social network for Google services. Additional information is available from https://www.google.com/

7 Wikispace is a web application that allows collaborative modification, extension, or deletion of content. Information is available from https://www.wikispaces.com/

8 The Web-based discussion did not easily support proofreading and editing as participants posted, we have made minor corrections of spelling and grammatical errors.

9 The Tobii -12 is a voice output communication device. Additional information is available at http://www.tobii.com/en/assistive-technology/north-america/

10 Vine is a video sharing service where users videos are published. Additional information is available at https://vine.com

11 The PRC Accent is a voice output communication device. Additional information is available from the Prentke Romich Company at www.prentrom.com.