Effect of the ALL App on Literacy for Children Who Use AAC

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a phonics-based literacy program for children with limited or no speech who use augmentative and alternative communication.More specifically, this study aims to:Understand if using a literacy app (Accessible Literacy Learning) created to support individuals with limited or no speech, with instruction provided by a service provider, will increase their literacy skillsUnderstand how many trials/how much time it takes to acquire each of the 6 early literacy skill assessedUnderstand if service providers think the Accessible Literacy Learning app is appropriate for this population that needs many literacy adaptions due to challenges with speech.Understand if any characteristics lead to more learning of the skills, for example, diagnosis or ageParticipants will be asked to complete 100 lessons using the app. The lessons will be phonics-based for the intervention group. The comparison group with use the same app and complete 100 lessons, but will only complete lessons in sight word (no phonics).

Inclusion Criteria:Students with CCN can participate if they meet the following criteria:3 to 8 years oldpresent with speech and communication skills that did not meet all of their daily communication needs (e.g., have an AAC system; less than 50% intelligible at the single word level to unfamiliar partners if using speech)follow one-step directionssymbolic communicators with use of at least 50 words/signs/picture icons expressively,limited literacy skills (i.e., identify less than 26 letter-sound correspondences, 10 words during sound blending, 25 sight words on the screening assessment, and can spell less that 20 words)not receiving consistent phonologically-based direct literacy instruction or receiving instruction in less than 2 of the tested skillsunimpaired or corrected vision and hearingaccess to an iPadSchool support personnel (e.g., teachers, speech-pathologists, paraprofessionals) can participate if they meet the following criteria, per self-report:Speaks EnglishReads English18 years of age or olderSpending time directly working with an individual with CCN who needs to learn to readWillingness to implement the ALL curriculum and incorporate it into the daily educational plansExclusion Criteria:Students cannot participate if they:are under 3 years of agedo not present with severe speech disorders whereby they could use or benefit from AACcan't follow one-step directionsare not symbolic communicatorsare able to read at the connected text leveldo not speak/understand Englishimpaired and uncorrected vision and hearingdo not have access to an iPad to use the ALL appSupport personnel cannot participate if they:do not speak Englishdo not understand Englishhave impaired vision and hearing that is not corrected and impacts reading and hearing the child they work withare not in daily direct contact with someone with CCNunwilling to attend trainings related to the ALL appunwilling to incorporate the ALL app into daily educational plans