A SURVEY TO IDENTIFY THERAPISTS' HIGH-TECH AAC KNOWLEDGE, APPLICATION AND TRAINING.

Recent research in Australia (Balandin and Iacono 1998) has identified a lack of postgraduate training in high tech or electronic alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) equipment for speech and language therapists (SLTs). At Treloar College (TC) the SLTs have acquired wide experience and knowledge that could be shared with others who have fewer clinical oppommities to acquire skill in this area of expertise. Questionnaires were sent to 500 SLTs selected at random. The purpose of the questionnaire was to identify how knowledgeable SLTs in various clinical settings across the UK considered themselves to be in the prescription, training, support and use of high tech AAC in an increasingly technological world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]