Multimodal AAC for Individuals with Down Syndrome

Multimodal AAC for Individuals with Down Syndrome

Authors: Krista M. Wilkinson, Ph.D., Lizbeth H. Finestack, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Many people with Down syndrome—one of the most common genetically-linked developmental disabilities—experience difficulty developing spoken and written communication skills. In this groundbreaking book, discover how augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can enhance communicative competence and improve outcomes for people with Down syndrome across the lifespan.

Key Features

• Skillfully pair unaided AAC supports (gestures and manual signs) with aided AAC (technology and other supports external to the body)
• Enrich young children’s communication and language development with AAC
• Use AAC to boost older children’s vocabulary, grammatical language, and narrative language skills
• Enhance reading instruction using AAC technology
• Supplement speech and improve speech intelligibility with carefully chosen interventions and visual communication aids
• Engage whole families as collaborative partners to integrate AAC supports into everyday life
• Address young adults’ communication needs, as they evolve to include more varied communication partners, more complex topics, and new contexts
• Assess cognitive and social functioning in adolescents and adults who use AAC
• Support communication and self-advocacy across health care settings with AAC strategies

Reviews

1. Pat Mirenda, Ph.D., BCBA-D, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver Campus - "Contains a wealth of information that will be relevant to faculty who teach AAC courses and to clinicians who support families..."
2. Steven Warren, Ph.D. - "The authors of this book take a deep dive into the complexity of Down syndrome...their multi-modal/multi-disciplinary approaches reveal the cutting edge of increasingly effective treatments."
3. Billy Ogletree, Ph.D. - "Provides well-organized contributions from established scholars who speak to critical issues across the lifespan..."
4. Joe Reichle, Professor Emeritus - "It is rare to see a compendium of integrated evidence that addresses both comprehension and production..."

Volume Editors

• Krista M. Wilkinson Ph.D.
• Lizbeth H. Finestack Ph.D., CCC-SLP

This book may be appropriate for courses similar to those listed below:

• AAC courses in speech language and special education programs
• Courses focused on Down syndrome or developmental disabilities

**Get exam copy
** Read an excerpt: Chapter 1: Introduction to How Augmentative and Alternative Communication Can Promote Communication, Speech, and Language in Individuals With Down Syndrome Across the Life Span
** Read a Q&A: A Q&A with editors Krista Wilkinson and Lizbeth Finestack