title: Election criteria for the adoption of an augmentative communication system: preliminary considerations.
abstract: Criteria for determining candidacy for an augmentative communication system are reviewed. Included is a consideration of cognitive, oral reflex, language, motor, intelligibility, emotional, chromological age, previous therapy, imitative, and environmental factors. The multiple factors are arranged on a branching type decision matrix, which yields a decision to either elect, reject, or delay implementation of an augmentative communication system. Case data demonstrating application of the decision matrix are presented.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012018:Reflex; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013070:Speech Therapy