One body of clinical practice often implemented with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities involves aided augmentative and alternative communication (aided AAC). Most of these systems involve visual displays containing written words, icons, or other visual-graphic symbols. The intent of these systems is to offer a supplemental means of communication to individuals with disabilities whose speech is not adequate to meet their receptive and/or expressive communication needs.

Aided AAC relies on a visual modality. Consequently, it critical that individuals who use AAC be able to perceive or process the visually-presented information; otherwise, the system will not be used effectively. Yet AAC display design and the ways that individuals process this visual information has received little research attention, nor is there much information about visual processing in individuals with significant intellectual disabilities. This gap means that many displays that are intended to promote communication may be confusing or sub-optimal for the individuals who they are intended to benefit.

This presentation will illustrate how eyetracking analysis can reveal patterns of visual attention to AAC displays in individuals with significant communication and intellectual disabilities, who are difficult to test using traditional experimental tasks and methods. I will describe what elements of AAC displays attract attention, and which distract from efficient search in individuals with Down syndrome, intellectual disability of unknown origin, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and nondisabled peers. (Supported by NICHD P01 HD25995, R01 HD 083381, & the PSU Hintz Communicative Competence Endowment)