The Role of AAC in Social Communication and Community Engagement: Experiences and Opinions of Autistic Adults

TL;DR

This study explores how AAC can support social communication and community engagement among autistic adults, highlighting emotional influences, shutdown challenges, and design implications for AAC systems.

Contribution

It provides new insights into autistic adults' communication needs and offers practical guidance for AAC system design and future research directions.

Findings

AAC benefits autistic adults' communication during shutdowns

Emotional experiences influence communication methods

AAC design should address shutdown and communication ability indicators

Abstract

Little research has explored the communication needs of autistic adults. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can support these communication needs, but more guidance is needed on how to design AAC systems to support this population. We conducted an online, asynchronous, text-based focus group with five autistic adults to explore their social communication and community engagement and how AAC might support them. Our analysis found 1) participants' emotional experiences impact the communication methods they use, 2) speaking autistic adults can benefit from AAC use, and 3) autistic shutdown creates dynamic communication needs. We present implications for AAC interface design: supporting communication during shutdown, indicating communication ability, and addressing the fear of using AAC. We provide themes for future autism research: exploring the impact of a late diagnosis, understanding communication needs during shutdown, and researching the social and environmental factors that impact communication. Finally, we provide guidance for future online focus groups.