AAC AAC Research, Evidence-Based Practice & Professional Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'treatment fidelity' mean in AAC research and clinical practice?
- The loyalty of the AAC user to a single device brand
- The degree to which an intervention is implemented as designed and intended (Correct answer)
- The accuracy of AAC device speech output
- The consistency of insurance reimbursement rates
Correct answer: The degree to which an intervention is implemented as designed and intended
Treatment fidelity refers to the extent to which a clinician or researcher implements an intervention according to its specified protocol, ensuring that outcomes can be attributed to the treatment itself.
Question 2: Which AAC intervention approach has the strongest research base for teaching aided language use?
- Discrete trial training without AAC modeling
- Aided Language Input / Aided Language Stimulation (ALgS) (Correct answer)
- Silent observation of AAC users
- Errorless learning without partner modeling
Correct answer: Aided Language Input / Aided Language Stimulation (ALgS)
Aided Language Stimulation, where the communication partner simultaneously models on the AAC device while speaking, has a substantial evidence base for building aided language understanding and use.
Question 3: In continuing education for AAC, what does ASHA require CCC-SLPs to maintain their certificate of clinical competence?
- 30 ASHA CEUs every 3 years
- 30 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) every 3 years (Correct answer)
- Annual re-examination
- Publication of one peer-reviewed article per year
Correct answer: 30 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) every 3 years
ASHA requires CCC-SLPs to accumulate 30 Continuing Education Hours, including 1 hour in ethics, during each 3-year certification maintenance interval.
Question 4: What is a 'systematic review' in the context of AAC research?
- A review of a client's device settings conducted by the SLP
- A rigorous synthesis of all available research on a specific AAC question using explicit methods (Correct answer)
- An annual review of a student's IEP goals
- A manufacturer's evaluation of device durability
Correct answer: A rigorous synthesis of all available research on a specific AAC question using explicit methods
A systematic review uses explicit, reproducible methods to identify, appraise, and synthesize all available evidence on a focused clinical question, minimizing bias.
Question 5: Which principle guides SLPs to select AAC interventions that have been shown to be effective through rigorous research?
- Caregiver preference principle
- Evidence-based practice (EBP) (Correct answer)
- Device-first principle
- Communication hierarchy model
Correct answer: Evidence-based practice (EBP)
Evidence-based practice guides clinicians to integrate the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and client values when making intervention decisions.
Question 6: What is 'interprofessional practice' (IPP) in the context of AAC professional development?
- An SLP working alone to manage all AAC needs
- Collaborative practice among professionals from different disciplines to improve AAC outcomes (Correct answer)
- AAC device training provided only by manufacturers
- A model where one profession oversees all others
Correct answer: Collaborative practice among professionals from different disciplines to improve AAC outcomes
IPP involves SLPs, educators, OTs, PTs, and other professionals collaborating using shared goals and mutual respect to deliver comprehensive AAC services.
AAC AAC Research, Evidence-Based Practice & Professional Development 2
What does 'treatment fidelity' mean in AAC research and clinical practice?