Table 4 Objectives and characteristics of the instruments used in included studies
From: Augmentative and alternative communication in children with Down’s syndrome: a systematic review
Instrument | Instrument Objective | Instrument Features | Number of Studies (Instrument) |
|---|---|---|---|
SGDs | Improvement of speech (improvement of communication) | SGDs, also known as voice and output communication aids | Lorah, 2016 [38] Barker et al., 2013 [36] Brady et al., 2013 [37] Van Der Meer et al., 2012 [35] |
PECS | Broadening of language skills and social communication | Information system through the exchange of image cards (change the image for the item itself) – discrimination of figures, making sentences | Lorah, 2016 [38] Barker et al., 2013 [36] Brady et al., 2013 [37] |
MAKATON | Language and communication development (signals domain) | Vocabulary with speech, signs, and/or symbols (interactive vocabulary) | Van Der Meer et al., 2012 [35] Foreman & Crews, 1998 [8] |
PCS | Assists the cognitive process (speed and accuracy) through figures and symbols | A pictorial system consisting of designs that mean nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives, or makes use of symbol arrangements (e.g. clothing, shoes, goggles and gloves) used in the “grouped” and “distributed” arrangement with a search focus visual. | Wilkinson & Mcllvane, 2013 [52] Wilkinson et al., 2008 |
Core vocabulary | Improvement of functional language, seeking to achieve more effective communication | Sets of vocabularies described as basic vocabulary consist of high-frequency words and represent various parts of speech or natural text (i.e. mainly function words such as pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, auxiliary verbs, determinants, interjections, and adverbs). | Deckers et al., 2017 [61] |
Picture-based strategy | Stimulate spontaneous communicative attempts | Three-ring communication folder (~ 7 ″× 5″ × 1 ″) that had three removable pages, each with removable coloured pictures (~ 2 ″× 2″). The first page presents snack items and the second page an immutable series of oral preferred activities reported to promote generalisation. The third page shows a phrase strip indicating the target form (‘I want _____’). | Lanter et al., 2016 [59] |
Interactive digital board prototype | Facilitate interaction (social skills) and give personal autonomy | The digital board interface is a subsystem of the Divermates educational system, which provides educational tools with an attractive design. | González et al., 2015 [68] |
Modified ride-on car | Improvement of daily mobility, aiding communication and socialization processes, plus the fun factor | Modified touring car | Logan et al., 2014 [57] |
Input techniques | Vocabulary analysis, performance, and interaction | Techniques that use computer input devices (mouse, keyboard, word prediction) for evaluating the speed and accuracy of data input | Hu et al., 2013 [64] |
Language Signals System | Cognitive development and 2language comprehension | Acceptable approximations of ASL gestures, which use combinations of hand gestures to represent a phrase, word, letter, number, or a combination of these | Brady et al., 2013 [37] |
Web-based survey (joystick) | Facilitate socialization and communication | A joystick is an input device, equipped with a lever capable of controlling the movement of a cursor on the screen, and one or more buttons capable of controlling certain actions when pressed. The joystick designs were displayed as rotating 3D objects in video clips. | Allsop et al., 2011 [55] |
COMPIC | Language development (symbols domain) | Communication resource consisting of a library of clear and easy-to-understand drawings, called ‘pictograms’, which contain information | Foreman & Crews, 1998 [8] |