Validation of the neurofunctional evaluation protocol for Alternative and Augmentative Communication

ABSTRACT Objective: to validate the neurofunctional evaluation for Alternative and Augmented Communication protocol. Methods: the study was carried out in four steps: instrument construction, literature review, clinical validation and evaluation of the protocol by field experts, through an interactive questionnaire which was repeatedly applied, until the last set of responses was regarded as satisfactory. In addition, clinical evaluations were performed by applying the protocol in children and adolescents with motor impairment in a clinical trial. Results: statistical analysis of the protocol application in the therapeutic setting showed the Kappa indices for each observer with an overall mean of 0.436 (moderate agreement), besides the agreement among experts in content evaluation. Conclusion: agreement between the evaluators, specialists and the protocol clinical application results allowed choosing and implementing an alternative communication resource appropriate to the neuromuscular characteristics of the patient, providing a low cost access, as well as the quick identification of the motor skills that enabled the speech-language therapy.