The characteristics of friendships among children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) are not well understood. Research on friendships among children without disabilities has identified similarity to each other as a key characteristic among friends. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the friendships between students using AAC and fellow students in Norwegian mainstream public schools. Participants were students using AAC in first to fourth class, fellow students, parents, and staff. Data were analysed using a constructive grounded theory approach. The participants provided diverse reports about the friendships, although all students using AAC reported having friendships at school. The friendships were described by parents and staff as superficial and students using AAC were seldom perceived as playmates by fellow students. The results indicated that friendships between students using AAC and fellow students were often unilateral. The results are discussed along with the implications for future research.
History
Journal
European journal of special needs education
Volume
33
Pagination
334-348
Location
Abingdon, Eng.
ISSN
0885-6257
eISSN
1469-591X
Language
eng
Publication classification
C Journal article, C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
Copyright notice
2017, Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group