Alignment between Augmentative and Alternative Communication Needs and School-Based Speech-Language Services Provided to Young Children with Cerebral Palsy.

PURPOSE: This study describes the alignment between the need for AAC among a group of young children with cerebral palsy (CP) who had clinical communication disorders and the speech-language goals/objectives being targeted in the IEPs of these children.
METHOD: 22 children with CP who had clinical communication disorders were classified into groups according to their need for AAC based on prospective assessment data. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in place at the time of the assessment were analyzed to characterize the type of speech-language goals/objectives being addressed for each child.
RESULTS: 95% of children with CP in this sample could benefit from some form of AAC. Among these, 62% had at least some functional speaking ability. Among all children who could benefit from AAC, 57% had AAC-focused speech-language goals/objectives in the IEP. Children who had any functional speaking ability were less likely to have AAC-focused speech language goals/objectives than children who were unable to speak.
CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that a majority of young children with CP and communication disorders would benefit from some form of AAC, however these children seemed to be under-served with regard to AAC interventions, particularly those who had any functional speaking ability. Additional pre-service and in-service training for speech language pathologists and other professional is necessary to ensure that children with CP receive the AAC-focused speech-language services they need.