Transition to Adulthood for Individuals With Complex Communication Needs: A Scoping Review.
Beata Batorowicz, Kate Mamo, Tessa Meadows and 2 others
PMID 39234794WHAT IT FOUND
Young adults who use AAC reported low expectations, few transition services, and limited age-appropriate vocabulary.
Parents, inclusive education, employer supports, mentorship, and communication accommodations were described as helping them pursue work, college, and friendships.
Key findings
01Young adults with complex communication needs reported low expectations from others, limited transition services, and barriers in literacy, age-appropriate AAC vocabulary, and device access.
02Support from employers and institutions, transition-specific programs, mentorship, and family or peer networks were described as important for employment, education, and relationships.
03The evidence base was small and mostly qualitative, with only two studies evaluating long-term occupation-focused outcomes.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The review included English-language studies only, so experiences from other languages and cultures may be missing. The authors noted that their view of adult occupations may reflect their own cultural norms. Most studies were qualitative and small; 18 had fewer than 10 participants, and four had only one participant. Information about participants’ physical, cognitive, and communication impairments was rarely detailed. Only two studies evaluated long-term occupation-focused outcomes, and evidence on program efficacy was limited. The included studies spanned several decades, so some program details may be dated.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the reported barriers and facilitators as proof that AAC, mentorship, or employment programs improve transition outcomes. The review mapped small qualitative studies, and only two studies measured long-term occupation-focused outcomes.