Mobile technologies used as communication support system for people with intellectual disabilities: An exploratory study

Abstract

Limited communication abilities are associated with important psychosocial challenges and people with intellectual disability (ID) are no strangers to this reality. Interventions involving specialized high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems have shown positive outcomes but important difficulties involving access, maintenance and social acceptability are experienced. Mainstream mobile technology has been suggested in response to these issues. This retrospective and exploratory multi-case study reports on the experience of 7 adults with ID who used an iPad® as a AAC. Descriptive analyses showed an increase in use of tablets as AAC, compared to their prior specialized system, as well as gains in expressive and general communication abilities. These results suggest that tablets may be an efficient tool to support communication needs for people with ID and can contribute to their social as well as their digital inclusion.