COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE AS PERCEIVED BY ADULTS WITH SEVERE SPEECH IMPAIRMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH CEREBRAL-PALSY

The effects of aided message length (single-word vs. phrase-generated messages) and partner feedback [presence vs. absence of expanded messa ge repetitions) on perceptions of the communicative competence of an a dult augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system user were examined. Subjects consisted of 12 nonambulatory adults with severe s peech impairments associated with cerebral palsy. Four scripted videot aped conversational conditions involving the AAC system user and a typ ically speaking partner were employed to manipulate the two independen t variables. A balanced incomplete block design was used. Following ea ch viewing, subjects completed a questionnaire designed to assess the communicative competence of the AAC system user. Results indicated tha t neither independent variable had an impact on the subjects' ratings of communicative competence. Findings are compared with chose from an earlier investigation, and clinical implications are discussed.