We need to take AAC out of the “too hard basket.” An exploration into the attitudes of Australian speech language pathologists toward AAC

The attitudes of speech language pathologists (SLPs) toward AAC are integral to optimal outcomes for AAC users; however, there has been limited research into the attitudes, values and beliefs of SLPs about AAC. This study sought to explore SLPs’ attitudes, beliefs and values about AAC and factors influencing SLP attitudes throughout their clinical journey. One on one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 Australian SLPs. All interviews were conducted via Zoom, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a deductive, values coding approach. Most SLPs commenced their clinical journey with either no awareness of AAC or a negative attitude toward AAC. However, attitudes were not static, and descriptions of an SLP’s clinical journey demonstrated that attitudinal change is achievable. Findings indicated that this change is heavily dependent on factors that influenced the SLP within the personal, social, and historical context. While attitudes toward AAC improved for some SLPs throughout their clinical journey, active steps need to be taken to ensure the majority of SLPs commence their career with a positive attitude toward AAC. Three key recommendations are proposed.

言语语言病理学家（Speech-Language Pathologists, SLPs）对辅助与替代沟通（Augmentative and Alternative Communication, AAC）的态度，是影响辅助与替代沟通使用者获得最佳康复效果的核心要素；然而目前针对言语语言病理学家关于辅助与替代沟通的态度、价值观与信念的研究仍较为匮乏。本研究旨在探究言语语言病理学家对辅助与替代沟通的态度、信念与价值观，以及其临床执业全过程中影响其对辅助与替代沟通态度的各类因素。研究团队对25名澳大利亚言语语言病理学家开展了半结构化一对一访谈。所有访谈均通过Zoom平台进行，随后对访谈内容进行逐字转录，并采用演绎式价值观编码法开展分析。多数言语语言病理学家在开启临床执业生涯时，要么对辅助与替代沟通毫无认知，要么持有负面态度。但此类态度并非一成不变，从受访对象对自身临床执业历程的描述中可见，态度转变是可以实现的。研究结果显示，这类态度转变在很大程度上取决于个体、社会及历史语境下影响言语语言病理学家的各类因素。尽管部分言语语言病理学家在临床执业过程中对辅助与替代沟通的态度有所改善，但仍需采取积极措施，确保绝大多数言语语言病理学家在开启职业生涯时就能对辅助与替代沟通持有积极态度。本研究最终提出三项核心建议。