
AAC Journal Club
AAC Journal Club details
General structure:
Group decides on topics for each session
2-3 people chair each session
1 journal article per person
Send out articles a couple weeks before
AAC Journal Club 2026
Feb. - Gestalt Language Processing
Apr. - Facilitated Communication
May - Autism (CM, SF, KO)
Jun. - Best Practices in AAC (EW, SH)
Gestalt Language Processing
Blanc, M., Blackwell, A., & Elias, P. (2023). Using the Natural Language Acquisition protocol to support gestalt language development. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 8(6), 1279 –1286. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_PERSP-23-00098
Lorang, E., Mathée-Scott, J., Johnson, J., & Venker, C. E. (2025). A response to Blanc and colleagues’ viewpoint on gestalt language processing and the Natural Language Acquisition protocol: Concerns and common ground. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1–8.
Facilitated Communication
American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)'s Position Statement on Facilitated Communication
International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. (2014). ISAAC position statement on facilitated communication. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 30(4), 357–358. https://doi.org/10.3109/07434618.2014.971492
Loren F. McMahon, Howard C. Shane & Ralf W. Schlosser (2024) Using
occupational therapy principles and practice to support independent message generation
by individuals using AAC instead of facilitated communication, Augmentative and Alternative
Communication, 40:1, 12-18, DOI: 10.1080/07434618.2023.2258398
Speech and Audiology Canada (SAC)'s Official Statement on "Use of Facilitated Communication and Rapid Prompting Method"
Facilitated Communication Evidence Summary compiled by Kristy Stefanucci (AAC SLP)
Bonus articles
Tostanoski, A., Travers, J. C., & Cook, B. G. (2014). Beware of the lure: Pseudoscience in special education. Intervention in School and Clinic, 49(5), 310–315. doi.org
Possible future topics:
AAC & Mental Health (e.g. anxiety, OCD, depression)
AAC & Interoception
Emergent numeracy
