Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42304277›Full record

ArticleBMC pediatrics2026

Parent-reported benefits, barriers, and experiences of augmentative and alternative communication use among children with autism in Nablus, Palestine: a cross-sectional study.

Hala Jarrar, Lana Malhis, Alaa Munawer, Moamen Omareya, Nagham Deek, Razan Abutair, Saja Dodeen, Sara Majed Khadeje, Zaynab Abu-Shamat

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Article in BMC pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Hala JarrarDepartment of Audiology and Speech Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 44839, Palestine.
Lana MalhisDepartment of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, An- Najah National University, Nablus, 44839, Palestine. malhislana@gmail.com.ORCID 0009-0002-5525-3841
Alaa MunawerDepartment of Audiology and Speech Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 44839, Palestine.
Moamen OmareyaDepartment of Audiology and Speech Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 44839, Palestine.
Nagham DeekDepartment of Audiology and Speech Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 44839, Palestine.
Razan AbutairDepartment of Audiology and Speech Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 44839, Palestine.
Saja DodeenDepartment of Audiology and Speech Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 44839, Palestine.
Sara Majed KhadejeDepartment of Audiology and Speech Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 44839, Palestine.
Zaynab Abu-ShamatDepartment of Audiology and Speech Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 44839, Palestine.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChildren with autism may have communication needs that require individualized support. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) can support functional communication, but little is known about parent-reported AAC implementation in Palestine. This study examined parent-reported perceived benefits, barriers, and experiences of AAC use among children with autism in Nablus, Palestine.

methodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 parents or primary caregivers of children with autism who were using or receiving structured AAC training. Participants were recruited from specialized autism centers in Nablus. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering child and family characteristics, perceived AAC benefits and barriers, and experiences during AAC implementation. The perceived benefit score was calculated from six yes/no items. The final AAC experience score was calculated from seven positively worded items after two negatively worded acceptance-difficulty items were analyzed separately. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Spearman's correlations were used.

resultsThe perceived AAC benefit score had a median of 6 (IQR 4-6) out of 6. The most frequently endorsed perceived benefit was increased communication opportunities (73/75, 97.3%), followed by perceived better behavior-related interaction inside the home (65/75, 86.7%) and improved understanding of the child's needs (64/74, 86.5%). Reported barriers included difficulty integrating AAC into daily routines (53/75, 70.7%) and difficulty accessing AAC programs (51/75, 68.0%). Awareness of alternative AAC systems was limited (25/75, 33.3%), and 23/74 parents/caregivers (31.1%) agreed that AAC systems are suitable for all children. The seven-item AAC experience score showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.841) and had a median of 16.0 (IQR 12.75-19.0) out of 21. A positive correlation was observed between perceived benefit score and AAC experience score (rs = 0.426, p < 0.001).

conclusionParents/caregivers commonly reported AAC-related perceived benefits, but barriers to access and daily integration were frequent and awareness of alternative systems was limited. Findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the cross-sectional parent-report design, but they support structured parent education, individualized AAC selection, and continued professional follow-up.

Indexed as

Autistic DisorderCommunication Devices for People with DisabilitiesParentsAdultChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle EastSurveys and QuestionnairesAACAugmentative and Alternative CommunicationAutismBarriersCaregiver experiencesPalestineParent-reported outcomesPerceived benefits

Identifiers

PMID42304277
PMCPMC13520493

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.