Finding Matthew's Voice: An Autoethnography of a Child's Multimodal Communication using AAC

This thesis features a case study which explores the multimodal communication of a child who uses alternative communication methods. Matthew is a young boy with Cerebral Palsy and communicates via the Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD) language system. The study examines how Matthew, a non-speaking child with multiple impairments and complex communication needs, can use PODD to establish himself as an effective and capable communicator. The key processes and the role of various modalities in helping Matthew and his interlocutors reach a shared understanding are examined.