LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 26:6 June 2026
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Selvi M. Bunce, M.A., Ed.D.
         Nathan Mulder Bunce, M.A., Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Honorary Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

Celebrate India!
Unity in Diversity!!

HOME PAGE

Click Here for Back Issues of Language in India - From 2001

Poetic Encounter
Available in https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09TT86S4T

Poems
Naked: the honest musings of two brown women
Available in https://www.amazon.in

Decrees
Available in https://www.amazon.com

BOOKS FOR YOU TO READ AND DOWNLOAD FREE!

REFERENCE MATERIALS

BACK ISSUES

  • E-mail your articles and book-length reports in Microsoft Word to languageinindiaUSA@gmail.com.

  • PLEASE READ THE GUIDELINES GIVEN IN HOME PAGE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LIST OF CONTENTS.

  • Your articles and book-length reports should be written following the APA, MLA, LSA, or IJDL Stylesheet.

  • The Editorial Board has the right to accept, reject, or suggest modifications to the articles submitted for publication, and to make suitable stylistic adjustments. High quality, academic integrity, ethics and morals are expected from the authors and discussants.

Copyright © 2025
M. S. Thirumalai

Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
11249 Oregon Circle
Bloomington, MN 55438
USA
Custom Search

A Survey on Challenges and Barriers to High-Tech AAC Integration Among Speech Language Pathologists in India

Sarah Mariam Kurian
Dr. Satish Kumaraswamy

Abstract

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is designed to augment and substitute for traditional speech and writing for individuals with significant communication challenges serving as a critical component in the habilitation and rehabilitation of both congenital and acquired conditions. A survey-based study was conducted to investigate the challenges and barriers faced by speech language pathologists (SLPs) in India regarding the integration of high-tech AAC systems for pediatric and adult clients. A total of 155 SLPs participated and the responses were analyzed across five domains such as training-professional preparedness, accessibility-resource barriers, client-caregiver factors, institutional-systematic challenges and policy-systematic changes. Descriptive statistics and radar chart visualization were employed to profile awareness across sections. Findings revealed the highest awareness in the domain of Client and Caregiver Factors (M = 3.85, SD = 0.47) and Policy and Systemic Changes (M = 3.00, SD = 0.00), whereas awareness was lowest in Training and Professional Preparedness (M = 1.63, SD = 0.94). Only 19.4% of SLPs reported adequate AAC training, and 80.6% acknowledged a lack of formal preparation. Conversely, universal consensus (100%) was obtained on the need for greater governmental funding, mandatory AAC training and policy-level reforms. The study underscores critical gaps in professional preparedness and systemic support for AAC in India, with implications for training programs, institutional policy and evidence-based clinical practice.

Keywords:Augmentative and Alternative communication, High-Tech AAC, Speech language pathologists, India, Pediatric and Adult clients.

Introduction

Communication is a dynamic process characterized by the active creation and attribution of meaning as well as the exchange of ideas and interactions among group members (Giffin & Patten 1976). The communication process is only finalized once the receiver transmits feedback to the sender, thereby triggering a new cycle of meaning exchange (Daniel 2013).

AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) refers to an area of research, clinical and educational practice. AAC involves attempts compensate for temporary or permanent impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions of individuals with severe disorders of speech-language production and/or comprehension, including spoken and written modes of communication (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA] 2005).

AAC refers to a broad range of strategies, techniques and technologies that supplement or replace natural speech for individuals who experience significant difficulties in spoken communication. It encompasses both unaided systems such as manual signs, gestures, facial expressions and aided systems, which include low-technology tools such as communication boards and picture-based systems, as well as high-technology devices such as speech-generating devices (SGDs), tablet-based applications and eye-gaze systems. High-tech AAC, in particular represents a rapidly expanding domain driven by advances in computing, artificial intelligence and mobile technology. Globally, it is estimated that approximately 97 million individuals across diverse diagnostic profiles including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, acquired neurological conditions, and progressive neurodegenerative diseases may benefit from AAC services (Beukelman & Light 2020).

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Sarah Mariam Kurian
Post Graduate Student
Dr M.V Shetty College of Speech and Hearing,
Malady Court, Kavoor,
Mangalore University-15
sarahkurian8@gmail.com
&
Dr. Satish Kumaraswamy
Ph.D. Speech and Hearing
Professor
Dr M.V Shetty College of Speech and Hearing,
Malady Court, Kavoor,
Mangalore University-15
sat8378@yahoo.com

Custom Search
  • Click Here to Go to Creative Writing Section

  • Send your articles
    as an attachment
    to your e-mail to
    languageinindiaUSA@gmail.com.
  • Please ensure that your name, academic degrees, institutional affiliation and institutional address, and your e-mail address are all given in the first page of your article. Also include a declaration that your article or work submitted for publication in LANGUAGE IN INDIA is an original work by you and that you have duly acknowledged the work or works of others you used in writing your articles, etc. Remember that by maintaining academic integrity we not only do the right thing but also help the growth, development and recognition of Indian/South Asian scholarship.