Interactional Experience With a Voice Output Communication Aid in Augmented Interactions.

The primary purpose of this investigation was to study the effects of a Speaking Partner\u27s experience with a voice output communication aid on the interactional strategies used in Nonspeaking Partner (NSP)/Speaking Partner (SP) dyads. A single-subject experimental design was employed, incorporating four interactional dyads of college-level students majoring in Speech-Language Pathology and school-aged adolescents (2 disabled and 2 able-bodied). Each dyad engaged in an information transfer barrier task, consisting of 10-12 maps with a number of referential conflicts. Interactional transcripts were analyzed for quantitative and qualitative differences in turn taking, message formulation, and nine types of Insertion Sequences. Results indicated an increase in rate-enhancement strategies in three out of four dyads. No significant differences were noted in number or length of Message Reformulation Episodes. Three of the four dyads employed fewer number of turns with reduction in SP turn length. Effective strategies derived during the information transfer tasks were identified. Results are discussed with regard to intrapersonal and social influences on interactive behaviors, and clinical implications in using role-taking for training facilitators and AAC users in deriving effective interactional strategies