In this episode, we focus on a crucial yet often overlooked area: mental health services (e.g., psychotherapy, counseling) for individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Our special guest, Adrianna (Anna) Noyes, a doctoral candidate at Penn State University and recipient of the Changemaker Award at ASHA 2023, shares her invaluable insights and research.

We discuss how AAC impacts the psychotherapeutic process, exploring the unique communication dynamics of AAC users in therapy settings. We explore effective communication strategies therapists can adopt and the critical role speech-language pathologists play in supporting AAC users' mental health.

This episode is not just for professionals in the field but also for caregivers and anyone interested in understanding and supporting the wellbeing of individuals with communication challenges. Anna gives us many practical tips, along with recommendations for further resources on AAC in mental health services. Tune in to broaden your understanding and contribute to building a more inclusive and supportive community for AAC users.

Resources and Links:

Communication First: The Words We Use

Noyes, A. M., & Wilkinson, K. M. (2022). Supporting access to mental health services for patients who use augmentative and alternative communication: A proposed framework and suggestions for future directions. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_AJSLP-22-00089

Hagiliassis, N., Di Marco, M., Gulbenkoglu, H., Iacono, T., & Watson, J. (2006). Beyond speech alone: Guidelines for practitioners providing counselling services to clients with disabilities and complex communication needs. Scope (Vic).

Watson, E., Raghavendra, P., & Crocker, R. (2021). Mental health matters: A pilot study exploring the experiences and perspectives of individuals with complex communication needs. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2021.1921845

Na, J. Y., & Wilkinson, K. M. (2018). Communication about emotions during storybook reading: Effects of an instruction programme for children with Down syndrome. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(7), 745–755. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2017.1356376

Burns, M. I., Baylor, C. R., Morris, M. A., McNalley, T. E., & Yorkston, K. M. (2012). Training healthcare providers in patient–provider communication: What speech-language pathology and medical education can learn from one another. Aphasiology, 26(5), 673–688. https://doi.org/10.1080/02687038.2012.676864



Keywords: Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, Psychology, AAC, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Psychotherapy, Mental Health, Communication Challenges, Adaptive Communication Techniques, Ecological Systems Theory, ASHA, Adrianna Noyes, Speech Therapy Research, Inclusive Therapy Practices.

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