Finding the Right Fit: What Contributes to the Successful? Use of Speech Generating Devices?

Nearly four million Americans are unable to communicate using natural speech. One intervention utilized by therapists to overcome the problem is through the use of speech generating alternative forms of communication. Though the majority of users benefit from these tools, it is reported that more than one third eventually abandon them. Existing literature suggests a variety of factors that lead to abandonment, yet the phenomenon continues. In an attempt to discover what constitutes successful device use, this qualitative study examined the experiences of self-reported speech generating device users to identify commonalities among them to offer guidance for practitioners prescribing such devices. The data from the study resulted in three themes: user and device attribute match, support from communication partners and engagement in occupations with device use to fulfil roles and routines that resulted in meaningful experiences that provided motivation for continued device use.