Needs of Augmentative and Alternative Communication System for Children with Cerebral Palsy: Parents Perception
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70818/iarjmsr.2025.v06i01.0158Keywords:
Cerebral Palsy, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Parent Perception, Communication Difficulties, Speech and Language TherapyAbstract
Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) often results in significant communication challenges, impeding children's ability to express their needs and emotions effectively. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems have been developed to support individuals with such communication impairments, offering tools ranging from simple picture boards to advanced speech-generating devices. Objective: To explore the parent’s perception of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) regarding the needs of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system. Methodology: This is a qualitative type of phenomenological study where 7 parents of children with CP who met the inclusion criteria assigned purposively from the outpatient unit of Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) Savar, Dhaka. Data was collected by using standard self-inventory questionnaire that contains 10 questions. Semi-structure, face to face interviews were conducted to collect in-depth information. Result: Parents are highly concern to the functional communication of children with CP thus the AAC system was preferred and could be a possible recommendation. Conclusion: Communication difficulties were closely connected with the life of children with CP. For communication difficulties they were not able to pass a meaningful life. They faced different problems in the family, school and society. AAC system is a helpful technique for severe communication difficulties CP child, it is significant to know for the parents of children with CP. This study also helps to the SLTs to work in this area and a speech and language therapist could support children with CP to develop their expressive skills verbally or non-verbally.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Nargis Akter, Shohidul Islam Mridha, Abrin Sultana, Monir Hossain, Dewan Rabbi Hasan Fahad, Akhi Akter (Author)
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