title: Undergraduates' perceptions of three augmentative and alternative communication modes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess undergraduates' perceptions of three augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) modes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We showed 104 undergraduates a video clip of a person using each of the three AAC modes and asked them to rate each option in terms of perceived (a) intelligibility, (b) ease of acquisition, (c) effectiveness/acceptability, and (d) preference. The three AAC modes shown were (a) manual signing, (b) picture exchange, and (c) speech-generating device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean ratings for perceived intelligibility and effectiveness/acceptability were significantly higher for the speech-generating device. The speech-generating device and manual signing options were rated as being more preferred over picture exchange. Picture exchange was rated significantly higher on perceived ease of acquisition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Speech-generating devices were perceived to have greater social validity than manual signing and picture exchange.
authors.affiliation: School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington , Wellington , New Zealand .
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Achmadi
authors.forename: Larah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sigafoos
authors.forename: Giulio E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lancioni
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Ralf W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Schlosser
authors.forename: Flaviu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hodis
authors.forename: Vanessa A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McLay
authors.forename: Peter B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Marschik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010465:Perception
keywords: Augmentative and alternative communication; developmental disability; manual signing; picture exchange; social validation; speech-generating device; undergraduates’ perceptions