Attitudes Toward Children and Teens Who Use AAC: Have They Changed in 20 Years?

Abstract Attitudes toward children and teens who use AAC have been an area of study for over 20 years. The factors of attitude and behavior are often driven by social pressure. In order to ensure that individuals with disabilities, including those who use AAC to communicate, do not face negative behaviors and limiting barriers based on attitudinal responses of their peers, it is important to continue the study of attitudes to gain knowledge of variables that influence, or help to form, peers' attitudes toward individuals with disabilities. We in the AAC community need to continue to explore and document strategies that are effective in increasing the positive nature of attitudes toward and the full social acceptance of individuals who use AAC by their peers and others in their environments.