ABSTRACT
Communication is a fundamental skill that is imperative to a child’s development. While many children develop their communication, language, and speech in a seamless manner, research suggests that there is an increasing number of children who display complex communication needs, also known as CCN (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013; Black, Vahratian, & Hoffman, 2015; Brady et al., 2016). Balandin (2002) defined CCN as a comprehensive term that encompasses a wide range of physical, sensory, and environmental needs that restricts or limits an individual’s independence. This includes an individual’s independence in communicating his or her wants and needs across communication partners. There are several factors that have been linked to the cause of CCN. These factors may include neurological disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, or autism), physical structures (e.g., cleft palate), genetic disorders (e.g., Down syndrome), and developmental disabilities (ASHA, 2017a).
