Medicine
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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
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Item Strategies for implementing augmentative and alternative communication in classroom settings in low- and middle-income countries(Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2023) Muttiah, N.; Drager, K.D.R.; Samarasingha, I.S.Individuals with severe communication disabilities benefit from using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to communicate. Many of these individuals live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Appropriate implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and methods within an LMIC requires two main components: linguistically and culturally appropriate AAC systems and communication partners with the relevant training to support individuals with communication disabilities. In low-resource countries, one option is to use less costly, low-tech (non-electronic) AAC systems, for example low-tech visual scene displays (VSDs). This low-tech AAC tool has been successfully implemented by paraprofessionals with children who have complex communication needs. Another example is the use of adapted books to facilitate social communication with children who have complex communication needs. Finally, it is not enough to provide children with communication disabilities with AAC tools. Communication partners interacting with these children, such as teachers, need to be trained so they can better facilitate children's communication in both inclusive and special classrooms. This is critically important in LMICs where there is frequently a shortage of speech-language pathologists and other specialists. This chapter will discuss both AAC tools and partner communication training that can be implemented in contexts that may have limited resources.Item "Now I am a techie too" - parental perceptions of using mobile technology for communication by children with complex communication needs in the global south.(Informa Healthcare, 2020) Hettiarachchi, S.; Kitnasamy, G.; Gopi, D.PURPOSE:Parental perceptions are key to the uptake of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices for their children with complex communication needs. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of parents in a resource poor Global South country on the use of mobile technology as AAC devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Sixteen participants (11 female; 5 male) were included in the study. Focus group discussions, face-to-face interviews and telephone interviews were conducted with the aid of an interview guide. The interview data were analysed using the key principles of Framework analysis and through the lens of critical disability studies. RESULTS: Six broad themes emerged. Most participants indicated a penchant for mobile technology, though its current use with their children was mainly as a teaching tool rather than a communication device. Concerns were raised about the cost of mobile technology, which if used within communication, was only as a temporary stop-gap measure with limited knowledge. The power of mainstream technology to challenge prevalent notions of disability was also highlighted by the participants. CONCLUSIONS: There is an openness to using mainstream mobile technology by parents with their children with complex communication needs. This use is currently reserved mainly for educational purposes while its power to challenge disability-related stereotypes is acknowledged. More parent training is required to encourage the use of mobile technology as AAC devices for communication. Implications for rehabilitation Current parent perspectives on mobile technology as AAC devices must be explored, given its potential impact on the uptake of these devices to support communication in their children with complex communication needs. Mainstream mobile technology could challenge perceptions of disability and therefore, be more acceptable to parents for their children with complex communication needs. Parental training is required to increase knowledge on the use of mobile technology as AAC devices for communication to enable informed choice-making.