2022V - Parents and Caregivers of Children Using AAC: What Are Their Experiences?

Caregivers of children using AAC experience feelings of uncertainty, lack of confidence, and stress. Negative perceptions of AAC have consequential impact on child outcomes, including AAC abandonment. This session will discuss the findings of a mixed-methods study designed to explore predictors and experiences of stress and support in parents and caregivers of children using AAC. This session will examine outcomes related to the family system, including the impact of specific communication modalities and support systems. Results will be integrated into family-centered AAC service delivery to improve collaboration between the interprofessional AAC team and caregivers. This session will address the gap in current interventions by tailoring recommendations to reflect specific communication partners’ needs and priorities.