Factors that influence adolescents' attitudes toward peers who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) (Illinois)

The intent of this study was to investigate the influences of factors on adolescents' attitudes toward peers who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The sample consisted of 136 high school-aged students from two schools located in central Illinois. The Assessment of Attitudes Toward Augmentative and Alternative Communication-Secondary Form (AATAAC-2), a 5-point Likert scale designed to measure adolescents' attitudes toward peers who use AAC, was the measurement tool in this study.; The results indicated that the gender of the AAC user, the gender of the communication partner, and the type of the device screen display had no effect on the attitudes of adolescents toward peers who use AAC. However, the gender of the observers had an effect on attitudes; female students exhibited more positive attitudes toward peers who use AAC than male students. Familiarity with individuals with disabilities also had an effect on attitudes; students who were more familiar with individuals with disabilities had more positive attitudes than those who were less familiar with individuals with disabilities. In addition, the results also indicated that age of the observers influenced attitudes; the younger high school students had more positive attitudes toward peers who use AAC than those who were older.