Filip Loncke Handout

Symposium on AAC Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and Performance Measurement
Thursday 7 August 2003
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Pittsburgh

Charge for the Symposium

- A little bit of history: Where are we coming from? Where are we going? From clinical and educational discovery to Evidence-Based Practice
o Case studies
o Controlled studies
o Group studies
Generating theories – formulating hypotheses – validating practices and interventions

- Visions and missions
ISAAC - Vision
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) will be recognized, valued and used throughout the world

ISAAC - Mission Statement
To promote the best possible communication for people with complex communication needs

AAC Institute - Mission Statement
The AAC Institute, established in 2000, is a resource for all who are interested in enhancing the communication of people who rely on AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). Organized as a 501c3 not-for-profit charitable organization, the AAC Institute offers information and provides services worldwide. AAC Institute promotes the goal of AAC, the AAC Rules of Commitment, and evidence-based AAC clinical practice. This mission is accomplished through service delivery, research, information dissemination, and education.

- Important trends that play a role
o “normalization”of AAC
o new groups of individuals who use AAC
o advocacy and self-advocacy
o economic factors
§ employment
§ economy of participation
§ development of electronics

- important general objectives

- Participation of people who use/need AAC within ISAAC and the field of AAC
- Collaboration with manufacturers, developers, and corporate members
- Research and development
§ Development in research designs
· Case study
· Experimental single case designs
· Group comparison studies
· Group experimental studies
· Meta- analysis
§ An agenda for research and development