The Selection of an Augmentative System in Communication Intervention: A Critique of Decision Rules

Sets of augmentative decision rules used to determine a learner's candidacy for an augmentative communication system were reviewed and critiqued. Particular scrutiny was given to criteria addressing certain cognitive acquisitions and the identification of a significant communication deficit(s) as prerequisites to system implementation. A case is presented to support the use of an augmentative communication system as a preventive treatment and a potential facilitator of language comprehension skills. An alternative approach to traditional decision rules that involves the implementation of procedures that allow the simultaneous scrutiny of graphic (communication board), gestural (sign), and vocal communicative modes is proposed.