Parental attitudes towards using total communication intervention with children who are non-verbal

This study examined parental attitudes about their child using the alternative and augmentative (AAC) communication intervention strategy of total communication. This strategy involves signing along with verbalization. Although the relationship of parental attitudes and communication skills have been a subject of investigation with deaf children and severely handicapped children, there is no research regarding parental attitudes about using an unaided, low-tech alternative system of intervention for communication with preschool children who are non-verbal and not deaf. Research has demonstrated that parental support and reinforcement are essential components to ensure that the child has consistent communication strategies across school and home environments. A qualitative approach was chosen for the study. Using guided interview questions, the study examined the parents' understanding of the communication intervention by the speech/language pathologist (SLP), its implementation at home and in the community and its appropriateness for family needs. Ten families participated in the study that was conducted in a middle class community in Connecticut. All of the children received speech/language services when they entered the school district at age three. Seven of the children received birth to three services prior to age three. Several categories and themes were revealed as a result of the study. The categories included prior knowledge of total communication, investigation of AAC systems, home and community use by the parent and child, family feelings about using sign language and the effectiveness of using total communication. Underlying themes that emerged included trust/acceptance of the SLP, apprehension and anger. The conclusions of the study indicate that families accept and trust the recommendations of the SLPs implicitly without investigating or questioning the methodology or how the intervention will impact on the family context. Too often, the family is apprehensive and angry and does not follow up on the intervention. The implications of this study reveal that professionals need to develop an understanding of how their recommendation is going to impact on the family and consider what alternative strategies can be offered.