{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T15:18:33Z","timestamp":1787843913416,"version":"build-2784847793"},"reference-count":64,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,12]],"date-time":"2026-05-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1778544000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":11,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,1]],"date-time":"2026-05-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1777593600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Intl J Lang &amp;amp; Comm Disor"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,5]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) requires speech\u2010language pathologists (SLPs) to have unique skills that may not be easily transferred from other practice areas. The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) also created a distinctive work context for Australian SLPs within the disability sector.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Aim<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the self\u2010perceived competence of Australian SLPs in AAC.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Method and Procedures<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study followed a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach. First, 203 SLPs completed a quantitative online survey. Next, 16 SLPs of those surveyed, participated in a one\u2010on\u2010one, semi\u2010structured interview over Zoom.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Outcome and Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Competency ratings were higher for those SLPs who received pre\u2010professional training in AAC, worked in a metropolitan area, had spent more time in the workforce and had a higher proportion of AAC users on their caseload. Competency ratings also differed by service delivery task; delivering therapy received the highest rating, while conducting assessments received the lowest. When asked about barriers and facilitators to clinical competence in AAC, four themes were identified (1) access to training and information, (2) AAC is a quickly evolving and changing field, (3) the impact of workplace context and (4) the attitudes of key stakeholders regarding AAC.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions and Implications<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>SLPs in Australia report mixed levels of competence in AAC and experience many barriers to further developing their competence. Considerations should be made for how to reduce these barriers at a national level to ensure AAC users are accessing high quality supports.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      <jats:italic>What is already known on the subject<\/jats:italic>\n                      <jats:list list-type=\"bullet\">\n                        <jats:list-item>\n                          <jats:p>Previous literature has highlighted that speech\u2010language pathologists (SLPs) internationally have varied levels of self\u2010perceived competence in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Most of this research has been conducted in the United States and has been quantitative.<\/jats:p>\n                        <\/jats:list-item>\n                      <\/jats:list>\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      <jats:italic>What this paper adds to the existing knowledge<\/jats:italic>\n                      <jats:list list-type=\"bullet\">\n                        <jats:list-item>\n                          <jats:p>This mixed methods study highlights that the self\u2010perceived competence of Australian SLPs is impacted by university training, geographical location, time in the workforce, caseload and service delivery task. SLPs also feel that workplace context, attitudes of key stakeholders, technological advances and access to post\u2010professional training impacts their ability to further develop competence in AAC.<\/jats:p>\n                        <\/jats:list-item>\n                      <\/jats:list>\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      <jats:italic>What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?<\/jats:italic>\n                      <jats:list list-type=\"bullet\">\n                        <jats:list-item>\n                          <jats:p>This study highlights the critical role of key stakeholders such as university staff, funding bodies and employers in the development of clinical competence in AAC for SLPs.<\/jats:p>\n                        <\/jats:list-item>\n                      <\/jats:list>\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1111\/1460-6984.70262","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,12]],"date-time":"2026-05-12T09:22:47Z","timestamp":1778577767000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["\u2018They Absolutely Love It, or They're Terrified of It\u2019. The Self\u2010Perceived Competence of Australian Speech\u2010Language Pathologists in Augmentative and Alternative Communication"],"prefix":"10.1111","volume":"61","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6082-5803","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Clancy","family":"Conlon","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences College of Health Sciences Speech Pathology CQUniversity  Rockhampton Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4700-1521","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Robyn","family":"Preston","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences College of Science and Sustainability Public Health CQUniversity  Rockhampton Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4603-333X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Barbra","family":"Zupan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Graduate Research CQUniversity  Rockhampton Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_10_2_1","unstructured":"Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.2023 September 11.Rural and Remote Health.https:\/\/www.aihw.gov.au\/reports\/rural\u2010remote\u2010australians\/rural\u2010and\u2010remote\u2010health."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_3_1","unstructured":"American Speech\u2010Language\u2010Hearing Association.1997.Clinical Specialty Certification.https:\/\/www.asha.org\/certification\/clinical\u2010specialty\u2010certification\/."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_4_1","unstructured":"American Speech\u2010Language\u2010Hearing Association.2020.2020 Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech\u2010Language Pathology.https:\/\/www.asha.org\/certification\/2020\u2010slp\u2010certification\u2010standards\/."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1744\u20106198.2008.00115.x"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434619812331278416"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/2023_AJSLP\u201022\u201000282"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_8_1","volume-title":"Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults With Complex Communication Needs","author":"Beukelman D.","year":"2020"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/2021_LSHSS\u201021\u201000159"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434610212331281321"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434618.2019.1576223"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/22000259.2024.2316912"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/1460\u20106984.70111"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/22000259.2024.2316925"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434618.2024.2333383"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434618.2025.2516760"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_17_1","volume-title":"Education Research: Planning, Conducting and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research","author":"Creswell J.","year":"2014"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_18_1","volume-title":"Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research","author":"Creswell J.","year":"2018"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/17549507.2020.1797165"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_20_1","unstructured":"Daniel D.2023 October 6.Shorten Vows to Stop \u201cPrice Gouging\u201d as Providers Charge More for NDIS\u2010Funded Clients.Sydney Morning Herald.https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/politics\/federal\/shorten\u2010vows\u2010to\u2010stop\u2010price\u2010gouging\u2010as\u2010providers\u2010charge\u2010more\u2010for\u2010ndis\u2010funded\u2010clients\u201020221005\u2010p5bnc2.html."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/07434618.2012.704521"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_22_1","unstructured":"Dynavox T.2024.DAGG\u20103.https:\/\/www.tobiidynavox.com\/products\/dagg\u20103."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.287.2.226"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1159\/000088995"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/13634593241230018"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/2023_AJSLP\u201022\u201000036"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/17549507.2013.809603"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/07434610903322151"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/ajr.12680"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/2023_AJSLP\u201022\u201000320"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434619812331278396"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/2020_AJSLP\u201020\u201000224"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/2021_LSHSS\u201020\u201000005"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/cicsd_30_S_76"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_35_1","unstructured":"McAllister S.2006. \u201cCompetency Based Assessment of Speech Pathology Students' Performance in the Workplace.\u201d PhD diss. University of Sydney.https:\/\/ses.library.usyd.edu.au\/handle\/2123\/1130."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/13682820902745461"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/17549507.2011.580782"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/17549507.2015.1034175"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/07434618.2013.784930"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/17549507.2024.2364809"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_41_1","volume-title":"IBM SPSS for Introductory Statistics: Use and Interpretation","author":"Morgan G. A.","year":"2020"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_42_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434618.2022.2046854"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_43_1","unstructured":"National Disability Insurance Agency.2023a.2022\u201323 Annual Pricing Review Report. June 1 2023.https:\/\/www.ndis.gov.au\/media\/6050\/download?attachment."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_44_1","unstructured":"National Disability Insurance Agency.2023b.Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits2023\u20132024.https:\/\/www.ndis.gov.au\/media\/6068\/download?attachment."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_45_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1071\/AH09711"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_46_1","volume-title":"A Best Practice Guideline to Qualitative Analysis of Research to Inform Healthcare Improvement, Re\u2010Design, Implementation and Translation: Guidance Document","author":"Palmer V.","year":"2020"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_47_1","unstructured":"Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.2024.Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Certification.https:\/\/www.resna.org\/Certification\/Assistive\u2010Technology\u2010Professional\u2010ATP."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_48_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3233\/prm\u20102010\u20100144"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_49_1","unstructured":"Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.2021.Curriculum Guidance for the Pre\u2010Registration Education of Speech and Langauge Therapists.https:\/\/www.rcslt.org\/wp\u2010content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/RCSLT\u2010Curriculum\u2010Guidance\u2010March2021.pdf."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_50_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/ajr.12294"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_51_1","volume-title":"Fundamentals of Qualitative Research: Understanding Qualitative Research","author":"Saldana J.","year":"2011"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_52_1","volume-title":"The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researcher","author":"Saldana J.","year":"2021"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_53_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/2020_LSHSS\u201020\u201000067"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_54_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/2021_AJSLP\u201020\u201000070"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_55_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/1460\u20106984.12059"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_56_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434619812331278386"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_57_1","unstructured":"Speech Pathology Australia.2017.Competency\u2010Based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists: Entry\u2010Level (CBOS).Speech Pathology Australia.https:\/\/www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au\/SPAweb\/Resources_For_Speech_Pathologists\/CBOS\/SPAweb\/Resources_for_Speech_Pathologists\/CBOS\/CBOS.aspx?hkey=c1509605\u2010c754\u20104aa8\u2010bc10\u2010b099c1211d4d."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_58_1","unstructured":"Speech Pathology Australia.2020a.Augmentative and Alternative Communication Clinical Guideline.Speech Pathology Australia.https:\/\/www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au\/SPAweb\/Members\/Clinical_Guidelines\/spaweb\/Members\/Clinical_Guidelines\/Clinical_Guidelines.aspx?hkey=f66634e4\u2010825a\u20104f1a\u2010910d\u2010644553f59140."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_59_1","unstructured":"Speech Pathology Australia.2020b.Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia.Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited.https:\/\/www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au\/Common\/Uploaded%20files\/Smart%20Suite\/Smart%20Library\/386be7e2\u20109872\u20104d51\u2010a0fa\u20104649c740ff1e\/SPA_Professional%20Standards%202020_V3_24062020%20FINAL%20.pdf."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_60_1","unstructured":"Speech Pathology Australia.2021.Code of Ethics\u2014Advertising.https:\/\/www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au\/Members\/libraryviewer?ResourceID=251."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_61_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4135\/9781506350288"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_62_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5812\/msnj.90580"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_63_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nedt.2012.01.007"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_64_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/2023_AJSLP\u201022\u201000295"},{"issue":"6","key":"e_1_2_10_65_1","first-page":"1","article-title":"Ready, SETT, Go! Getting Started With the SETT Framework","volume":"23","author":"Zabala J.","year":"2005","journal-title":"Closing the Gap: Computer Technology in Special Education and Rehabilitation"}],"container-title":["International Journal of Language &amp; Communication Disorders"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/1460-6984.70262","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1111\/1460-6984.70262","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/1460-6984.70262","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T14:30:56Z","timestamp":1787841056000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/1460-6984.70262"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,5]]},"references-count":64,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,5]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1111\/1460-6984.70262"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/1460-6984.70262","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1368-2822","1460-6984"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1368-2822","type":"print"},{"value":"1460-6984","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,5]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2024-10-23","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-04-27","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-05-12","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"e70262"}}