Attitudes and Skills of Latinx Caregivers and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Coaching: A Pilot Study

Purpose: This pilot study aimed to explore Spanish-speaking caregivers' attitudes and perceptions toward their preschool child's augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system. It also examined caregivers' use of language strategies before and after a coaching program provided in their primary language, Spanish. Method: Six Latinx Spanish-speaking caregivers completed a Likert scale pre- and postsurvey regarding their attitudes and perspectives on using AAC. Using a single-case research design, caregiver–child dyads received four, 30-min coaching sessions following the Teach–Model–Coach–Review protocol targeting use of language facilitation strategies (i.e., modeling, wait time, and asking questions) to promote communication while using AAC. Results: Before the AAC coaching, most caregivers reported positive attitudes and perceptions toward using AAC, but none demonstrated use of the language facilitation strategies. After coaching, all caregivers reported positive attitudes and perceptions toward AAC and demonstrated increased use of modeling and wait time from baseline to intervention. The strategy of asking questions while using AAC posed challenges. Conclusion: This study supports the benefits of providing family- and person-centered AAC coaching and education to parents/caregivers in their native language and the scaling up of research to improve communication outcomes for multilingual learners using AAC.