Parents’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators to the implementation of augmentative and alternative communication: A qualitative meta-synthesis

Purpose The review aimed to describe parental perceptions of barriers and facilitators to implementing aided and unaided augmentative and alternative communication systems for children with complex communication needs.Method To summarise the literature, a qualitative meta-synthesis approach was used. A systematic search was conducted to identify studies. The searches were conducted across eight databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, ERIC, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Family and Society Studies Worldwide, and Africa-Wide Information) and a hand search of the journal Augmentative and Alternative Communication was conducted. The included studies were critically evaluated using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Barriers and facilitators reported in the studies were mapped onto the Participation Model.Result Thirty-one studies were included. Characteristics of the studies were aligned with the Participation Model. Most barriers and facilitators reported by parents were opportunity-related. Parents identified a need for training and support to implement augmentative and alternative communication at home. A lack professional experience and expertise in augmentative and alternative communication from speech-language pathologists was identified as a key barrier to AAC implementation.Conclusion The result will assist speech-language pathologists in understanding the parental perspective and tailoring support for augmentative and alternative communication implementation with parents of children with complex communication needs and guide future research focused on parental perspectives.