Speech-language pathologists' vocabulary selection and implementation practices when working with early symbolic communicators who use augmentative and alternative communication

Vocabulary selection is a critical aspect of augmentative and alternative communication implementation, but there is no clear consensus on best practices in this area. Given that experience and training have been found to impact a range of practices within augmentative and alternative communication, this study aimed to understand the impact that experience and pre-service training in one country may have on vocabulary selection and implementation for early symbolic communicators who use augmentative and alternative communication through an online survey. One hundred seventy-six US speech-language pathologists with their certificate of clinical competence completed a survey exploring how they select and implement vocabulary training for early symbolic communicators. The majority of speech-language pathologists (<i>n</i> = 172; 98%) reported that vocabulary selection is important and that caregivers should be involved with vocabulary selection (<i>n</i> = 169; 97%). The majority of speech-language pathologists use Just-In-Time programming (<i>n</i> = 112; 64%), modelling (164; 95.4%), and core vocabulary approaches (<i>n</i> = 150; 85.7%). Speech-language pathologists with more years of experience reported training teachers on Just-In-Time programming significantly more than those with less experience. Speech-language pathologists train stakeholders (i.e. caregivers, teachers, other support staff) in implementation strategies they are most comfortable with and train others more consistently as they gain experience.