Purpose: Speech and language pathologists (SLP) are the primary authorities for preparing and teaching alternative and augmentative communication systems (AAC). This study aims to find Turkish SLPs’ thoughts about AAC systems.
Methods: The research was carried out with the Alternative and Augmentative Communication Knowledge Questionnaire (AACQ). This questionnaire was developed by the researchers by reviewing the literature. AACQ contains three parts, a) Demographic questions, b) 17 items about AAC & and c) Two open-ended questions about the AAC. For this study, 45 SLPs participated.
Result: AACQ scores differ statistically and significantly according to the group that uses AAC in clinical settings (p=.003<.05). It was observed that 80% of the participants were not comfortable using AAC. The participants only gave five different AAC examples. The examples were mostly low-tech and unaided AAC systems. Also, the most given example is “Communication Board” with 32.94%, which is a low-tech device. 82.2% of the SLPs want to use AAC, but a) lack of knowledge about AAC, b) insufficient materials c) families’ negative thoughts d) discomfort of SLPs while using the AACs were barriers to this process.
Conclusion: In this study, it was found that SLPs had limited knowledge and awareness about AAC systems. But they also have different barriers to using AAC. There is a need to develop materials compatible with Turkish culture and language. To improve that, it is important to conduct investigations into the AAC systems of the Turkish SLPs. In addition, there is a need to improve AAC education in undergraduate lectures in SLP education. With this development, it is thought that Turkish language specific AAC varieties can be kept up to date. With this development, it is thought that Turkish language specific AAC varieties can be kept up to date.