Anticipatory other-completion of augmentative and alternative communication talk: a conversation analysis study.
OBJECTIVE
The study described here investigates the practice of anticipatory completion of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) utterances in progress. The aims were to identify and analyse features of this practice as they occur in natural conversation between a person using an AAC system and a family member.


METHODS
The methods and principles of Conversation Analysis (CA) were used to video record conversations between people with progressive neurological diseases and a progressive speech disorder (dysarthria) and their family members. Key features of interaction were identified and extracts transcribed. Four extracts of talk between a man with motor neurone disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and his mother are presented here.


RESULTS
Anticipatory completion of AAC utterances is intimately related to the sequential context in which such utterances occur. Difficulties can arise from topic shifts, understanding the intended action of an AAC word in progress and in recognising the possible end point an utterance.


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis highlights the importance of understanding how AAC talk works in everyday interaction. The role of co-participants is particularly important here. These results may have implications for both AAC software design and clinical intervention.
Language and Communication Research, University College London, Chandler House, 2, Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PF, UK. s.bloch@ucl.ac.uk
Steven
S
Bloch
D000328:Adult; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003142:Communication; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D032882:Comprehension; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014741:Video Recording