title: The AAC Mentor Project: web-based instruction in sociorelational skills and collaborative problem solving for adults who use augmentative and alternative communication.
abstract: In this study, we investigated the effects of a self-paced instructional program, delivered via an accessible website, to teach sociorelational skills and collaborative problem-solving skills to adults with cerebral palsy who used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The instruction was designed to prepare participants to serve as mentors, in an Internet-based mentor program, for adolescents and young adults who also used AAC (Light & McNaughton, 2002). The effect of the training program was evaluated in two separate studies utilizing single-subject multiple probe designs: Study 1 investigated the effects of Lesson 1 of the web-based instructional program on the acquisition of sociorelational skills by six adults who used AAC; and, Study 2 focused on the effects of Lesson 2 on the acquisition of collaborative problem-solving skills by 15 adults who used AAC. All participants in Study 1 successfully acquired the target sociorelational skills to help them establish positive mentoring relationships with their protégés, and all participants in Study 2 acquired the collaborative problem-solving skills to support protégés in overcoming challenges in their lives and attaining goals. Results are discussed, along with implications for practice and directions for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. JCL4@psu.edu <JCL4@psu.edu>
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Light
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McNaughton
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krezman
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Maija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gulens
authors.forename: Alix
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galskoy
authors.forename: Marleah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Umpleby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004519:Education, Special / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D011340:Problem Solving; D012944:Social Support