Kvartalsrapport Q2 2026

Fulltext

===== SIDA 1 =====

Exploring the Benefits 
of Assistive 
Communication
2026
A health economic study conducted in the USA by Augur and 
Boston College commissioned by Dynavox Group.

===== SIDA 2 =====

Introduction
Although AAC has been available for several decades, it 
remains unfamiliar to many people. To raise awareness and 
improve access - particularly to high-tech AAC - Dynavox 
Group has commissioned a series of studies across multiple 
markets, conducted by Augur, to explore its benefits for 
individuals and society. This report is the third in that series 
and presents findings from the USA. 
The aim of this report is to strengthen access to high-tech 
AAC through evidence-based research. Input from 
individuals is highly valued, as shared experiences help 
advance understanding, inform innovation, and expand the 
impact of high-tech AAC solutions.

===== SIDA 3 =====

Table of  
Contents 
1. About the Study    4
2. The Value of High-Tech AAC on Society  10
3. The Value of High-Tech AAC to Users and Network 18
4. Across Different User Groups   40
5. The Challenges and Looking Ahead  44
6. To Summarize…    56
7. Appendix: Detailed data   61

===== SIDA 4 =====

1.
ABOUT THE STUDY

===== SIDA 5 =====

Total well-being increases significantly thanks to access to high-
tech AAC, thereby improving quality of life 
Psychological Health
• Enables fuller self-expression and the ability to communicate one’s 
personality
• Supports learning and personal development
• Helps reduce stress and anxiety for users
• For caregivers, clearer communication and greater independence 
reduce worry and emotional strain
Physical Health
• Improves the ability to communicate symptoms and needs
• Leads to more accurate assessments and stronger involvement in 
health decisions
• Supports better overall health outcomes
Social Relationships
• Enables users to build relationships and actively participate in social 
life
• Being able to communicate digitally expands opportunities to 
connect beyond the immediate circle
• For caregivers, supports deeper and more meaningful relationships
Environmental quality of life
• Supports learning and skill development, opening up new 
opportunities
• Increases control over daily life, enabling independence, privacy, 
safety, and access to leisure
• For caregivers, contributes to greater independence and a more 
balanced everyday life
To enhance awareness and accessibility, 
Dynavox Group has commissioned this 
study, conducted by Augur, to explore 
how high-tech AAC can benefit 
individuals and society. The purpose of 
this report is to improve access to AAC 
with evidence-based research.
In-depth interviews 
Digital interviews, 10 with high-tech AAC users 
and/or caregivers and 6 interviews with 
professionals, exploring subjective needs, behaviors 
and feelings of using assistive communication 
technology. 
By Augur, January-March 2025
Online survey 
An open-access online survey to high-tech AAC users, 
caregivers and assistants exploring the current user 
situation and a hypothetical scenario without high-
tech AAC tool access.
By Augur & Norstat August 2025 – April 2026
Health economic model 
Measuring the costs and gains for society following 
the introduction of high-tech AAC tools, for users 
overall and across three diagnostic groups: cerebral 
palsy, autism 
and ALS.
By Diana Bowser, Professor and Associate Dean for Research and 
Integrated Science at William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston 
College April-May 2026
Economic impact
Quality of life impact
By providing high-tech AAC tools, society can get about x3.3 
in return on investment per user over a five-year period.
The savings come from increased ability to work for both the 
user and caregiver thanks to high-tech AAC access.
Background  
About the study
SUMMARY
1077 
respondents in 
total
228 users
623 caregivers
53 users & caregivers answering 
as a pair
173 assistants
Savings for three diagnosis in focus
• Autism: 35,134 USD
• ALS: 27,406 USD
• Cerebral palsy: 20,204 USD
AAC solutions

===== SIDA 6 =====

Online Survey 
An open-access online survey to high-
tech AAC users, caregivers and 
assistants exploring the current user 
situation and a hypothetical scenario 
without high-tech AAC tool access. See 
participant details overleaf.
In-depth 
Interviews
Qualitative digital interviews with 
10 high-tech AAC users and/or 
caregivers and 6 professionals, 
exploring subjective needs, 
behaviours and feelings of using 
assistive communication 
technology. 
Health Economic
Model 
Health economic model measuring the 
costs and gains for society following the 
introduction of high-tech AAC tools, for 
users overall and across three diagnostic 
groups: cerebral palsy, autism and ALS.
About the study
This is a study in three parts using multiple methods for a 
holistic understanding of the values high-tech AAC tools 
bring. 
The study started with a qualitative pre-study with in-depth 
interviews in early spring 2025. This was followed by an 
online survey that commenced in August 2025 and was 
accessible for about 7 months. The survey was available in 
both English and Spanish. 
The interviews and online survey were conducted by 
research agency Augur with Norstat as a data collection 
partner.
The results from the online survey, together with external 
output data, set the foundation for the Health Economic 
model, done in Spring 2026. 
The model was done by Diana Bowser - Professor and 
Associate Dean for Research and Integrated Scienceat 
William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College and her 
team.

===== SIDA 7 =====

Users and/or caregivers from 
across the USA
- top 10 states represented
Three main diagnoses in 
focus
- but more participated
A wide range of  AAC 
solutions
- both hardware & software
1077 
respondents in 
total 
228 users
623 caregivers
53 users & caregivers answering 
as a pair
173 assistants
The online study respondents
iPad
TD Snap
Communicator 5
Go Talk Now
TD I-Series
Wordpower
TD Phone
Computer
Ablenet/QuickTalker
Windows Accessibility
Eyegaze Edge
Accent
Words for Life
Proloquo2Go
SC Tablet / mini
AssistiveTouch(iOS)
Grid for iPad
TD Browse
Look to Lean
42%
22%
19%
15%
3%
2%
1%
Autism
Cerebral palsy
Intellectual disability
ALS
Stroke
Rett syndrome
Angelman syndrome
PCEye on Windows
TalkPad
TD I-110
TD Pilot
TD Navio
TD Control
TD Talk
TouchChat
The voices represented
9% 9%
6% 6% 5% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3%

===== SIDA 8 =====

A short intro to AAC 
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a tool, strategy, support or 
any form of communication used in addition to, or in place of, the spoken word. 
AAC can be categorized into three main types:
1. No-Tech AAC: Communication using gestures, body language, facial 
expression, etc.
2. Low-Tech AAC: Non-electronic methods such as picture boards and 
communication books.
3. High-Tech AAC: Electronic communication tools like speech-generating 
devices, AAC apps, eye-tracking systems, and text-to-speech software. 
While we all use forms of AAC every day, it is a primary means of communication 
for those whose speech does not support their communication consistently.
GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS 
Assistive communication 
Another way to describe AAC. This term is still 
relatively new but catching on as it is easier to 
understand for non-clinicians.
Caregiver
A person who has primary care responsibilities for 
an individual with a disability. Usually refers to a 
parent, spouse, close relative or friend.
Assistant
A person who is usually paid to help the person 
with a disability, offering 1:1 support on daily life 
tasks, such as bathing, eating, mobility, etc.
Network 
A group of people in the user’s network of 
support, including caregivers, assistants, 
educators, clinicians and anyone who interacts 
with them on a regular basis.

===== SIDA 9 =====

High-tech AAC bring  
significant value to users, 
their supporting network, 
and society
SOCIETY
USERS
NETWORK
What this study shows:

===== SIDA 10 =====

2.
THE VALUE OF
 HIGH-TECH AAC 
FOR SOCIETY

===== SIDA 11 =====

SOCIETY By providing high-tech AAC tools, 
society can get about
3.3x
in return on investment per user 
over a five-year period*
USERS
*Weighted average of all users using high-tech AAC in the study
NETWORK

===== SIDA 12 =====

The main savings come from the 
increased ability to work for both the 
user and the caregiver

===== SIDA 13 =====

Great savings across the board thanks to 
high-tech AAC*
Cerebral Palsy
20,204 USD
35,134 USD
Autism
27,406 USD
ALS
*Calculated over a five year period. 
30%
53%
18%
52%36%
11%
72%
5%
23%

===== SIDA 14 =====

The largest savings come from caregivers'increased ability 
to work. With a high-tech AAC tool, they can feel secure 
leaving the user with the support of others who they can be 
sure will understand the user’s needs. 
The tool also helps in reducing stress around one’s life 
situation, decreasing the risk of depression or other 
illnesses.
Thanks to the 
communication device, 
caregivers estimate an 
increased ability to work
67% 67%
50%
72% 70%
64%
CP Autism ALS
No HT-AAC With HT-AAC
Estimated ability to work for caregivers
% of caregivers working at all

===== SIDA 15 =====

High-tech AAC makes it possible for the users to 
contribute. This enables both independence and a sense 
of purpose and meaning. 11%
16% 14%16%
27% 29%
CP Autism ALS
No HT-AAC With HT-AAC
Estimated ability to work for adult users
% of users working at all
Adult users estimate their 
possibility to work as 
higher thanks to their 
high-tech AAC

===== SIDA 16 =====

A smaller part of the 
savings comes from 
decreased health care 
utilization
For some users, the tool can improve precision in 
communicating symptoms and getting the right treatment 
for the user’s medical needs. This can lead to fewer 
outpatient visits and inpatient days, thanks to getting the 
right care more quickly.
Estimated care visits/days for users
Total number of inpatient, outpatient and emergency department visits 
combined. 
CP Autism ALS
No HT-AAC With HT-AAC

===== SIDA 17 =====

3.
THE VALUE OF HIGH-
TECH AAC TO USERS 
& THEIR NETWORK

===== SIDA 18 =====

SOCIETY
USERS
NETWORK
High-tech AAC is not just a 
communication aid, it is an 
enabler of autonomy, 
participation, and quality of life 
for users, while also reshaping the 
everyday lives of caregivers and 
families.

===== SIDA 19 =====

High-tech AAC is used 
throughout the day 
– and often all day
High-tech AAC is not used occasionally, it is 
integrated into daily life. Many users rely on it 
throughout the day, and for some, it is their 
primary means of communication.
4 of 5 use their device several times per day 
or more. 
Nearly 1 of 5 use it almost all waking hours 
and among ALS users this is doubled to 2 out 
of 5!
17%
29%
38%
Practically all
waking hours
Most of the day,
with some
exceptions
Several times a day
Q: How much do you/the user use the communication tool? Make an estimate for 
a regular day/week. Base 841 IP.

===== SIDA 20 =====

Major gains in overall well-being with 
access to high-tech AAC
4.3
7.1
4.4
7.4
4.6
7.6
2.7
5.2
All users
Users with CP
Autistic users
Users with ALS
X
X
= current well-being
= estimated well-being without a 
high-tech AAC tool
Estimated well-being (mental and physical)
Scale 1-10, 10 = best possible health, 
1 = worst possible health, average score

===== SIDA 21 =====

Quality of 
life defined
The World Health Organization defines quality of life as an 
individual's perception of their position in life in the context of 
the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation 
to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.
Quality of life is measured via four instruments: physical 
health, psychological health, social relationships and 
environmental quality of life.
This study does not use the WHOQOL measurements but is 
inspired by its building blocks.
Psychological
Related to positive feelings, 
thinking, learning, self-
esteem, body image etc.
Physical 
Related to general health, pain 
and discomfort, energy and 
fatigue, mobility, sleep and rest, 
work capacity, etc.
Environmental
Related to freedom,financial 
resources, opportunities,  
participation, safety,    home 
environment, etc.
Social 
Related to social support, 
relationships, sexual 
activity, etc.

===== SIDA 22 =====

When having a voice changes 
everything 
Without effective communication, 
thoughts and preferences stay internal. 
With high-tech AAC, users gain a reliable 
way to express emotions, opinions, and 
interests — moving from unspoken 
thoughts to intentional communication.
Being encouraged to communicate, and 
knowing that one’s message can be 
conveyed accurately, lowers barriers to 
expression and lays the foundation for 
autonomy.
3.3
6.4
3.0
5.5
Express preferences / will
Communicate thoughts and feelings
X
X
= current ability
= estimated ability without a 
high-tech AAC tool
Estimated abilities with and 
without high-tech AAC
Scale 1-10, 10 = fully able, 1 = 
not at all able, average score
Psychological

===== SIDA 23 =====

Finding expression
Access to high-tech AAC enables 
people to communicate thoughts, 
preferences, and more than basic 
needs.
72%
express one’s will 
and preferences
69%
encouraged to 
communicate
54%
express more than the 
basic needs
Thanks to the high-tech AAC 
users see advantages when it 
comes to…
I had this young patient [with ALS] in 
her 40s with young kids, that had 
really shut down and was barely 
communicating to her kids. After 
getting the device, her husband said, 
‘She’s just a different person.’ Now 
she's on Facebook and going to social 
events and she just really felt like she 
had gotten her life back.
– Professional
Social

===== SIDA 24 =====

From expression to being 
understood
When communication improves, users are not only 
heard more clearly, they are perceived more fully as 
individuals. The ability to express humor, emotions, 
personality, and preferences reduces frustration and 
anxiety and contributes to a stronger sense of 
identity.
For caregivers and others around the user, clearer 
communication means less guessing and fewer 
misunderstandings. Over time, this deepens 
relationships and allows others to better understand 
who the user is as a person, not just what support 
they require.
Of users see the ability 
to reduce anxiety and 
frustration as an 
advantage of high-tech 
AAC       
Of caregivers see the 
ability to get to know 
the user on a deeper 
level as an advantage 
of high-tech AAC       
49%
Of users see the ability 
to express entire 
personality as an 
advantage of high-tech 
AAC
63% 39%
Psychological

===== SIDA 25 =====

60%
of caregivers to users with CP 
see the possibility to 
know/continue to know the 
user on a deeper level as a 
benefit of high-tech AAC
“Nobody knew what he was capable of until the 
device came by. When the device came by, I 
mean, I knew about it, it's just that I couldn't 
show others. But with the device, I was able to 
show, not just myself, but my household, his 
grandparents, his dad, his sister, that there's so 
much more in this kid that we are yet to see. 
And I think he was happy. Like the fact that he 
would call out to me and I would come running 
hearing it, he knew he had a voice.”  
- Caregiver of user with CP
CEREBRAL PALSY

===== SIDA 26 =====

Without effective AAC, communication often depends on 
others interpreting or speaking on the user’s behalf. 
High-tech AAC shifts this dynamic by enabling direct 
communication with people both within and beyond the 
immediate circle.
Being addressed directly supports more equal interactions 
with peers, professionals, and acquaintances. 
2.5
4.8
Communicate with people outside 
the immediate circle
X
X
= current ability
= estimated ability without a 
high-tech AAC tool
Estimated abilities with and 
without high-tech AAC
Scale 1-10, 10 = fully able, 1 = 
not at all able, average score
From being spoken for, to 
speaking directly 
Social

===== SIDA 27 =====

From observing  to 
participating 
Effective communication enables users to participate actively in social contexts, 
education, and work — not just to be present, but to contribute. Being able to share 
opinions, ask questions, and engage in dialogue turns passive observation into 
meaningful participation.
Within families, schools, and workplaces, this changes roles and expectations. 
2.8
4.9
2.8
4.8
Participate and contribute at school/workplace
Be involved in various social 
contexts
X
X
= current ability
= estimated ability without a 
high-tech AAC tool
Estimated abilities with and 
without high-tech AAC
Scale 1-10, 10 = fully able, 1 = 
not at all able, average score
Of users see the ability 
to participate in social 
contexts as an 
advantage of high-tech 
AAC       
Of users see the ability 
to attend school/work 
as an advantage of 
high-tech AAC47% 32%
Social

===== SIDA 28 =====

High-tech AAC provides a structured and predictable way of 
communicating, supporting learning and skill development 
over time. As users gain confidence, they are more likely to 
explore language, try new forms of interaction, and engage 
in learning situations.
Over time, communication becomes a tool not only for 
expression, but for personal growth. Learning new skills, 
building language competence, and developing new traits 
reinforce a sense of mastery and progress.
This growth contributes to a deeper sense of purpose and 
meaning in life — key components of psychological quality 
of life. 3.7
6.2
Develop abilities and learn 
new things
X
X
= current ability
= estimated ability without a 
high-tech AAC tool
Estimated abilities with and 
without high-tech AAC
Scale 1-10, 10 = fully able, 1 = 
not at all able, average score
Learning, confidence, and a 
sense of meaning
Psychological

===== SIDA 29 =====

54% 
Can learn new 
things and develop 
skills
52% 
Structured 
communication
50% 
Develops language 
skills 
Thanks to the high-tech AAC 
users see advantages when it 
comes to…
Artwork by one of the users with ALS made by using an eye gaze tool 
“I graduated from the University 
of Florida with my Bachelor's 
degree in business 
administration, with a focus in 
marketing, entrepreneurship and 
retail in 2020. For the past four 
years, I’ve served on a statewide 
board called Florida rehabilitation 
council.”
- User with CP
Psychological

===== SIDA 30 =====

62%
of autistic users see the 
possibility to
develop and enhance 
language skills as a benefit 
of high-tech AAC
“Over time, she has become more 
creative in building her own sentences by 
linking words together, and she is 
increasingly able to spell words as part of 
developing her communication”
- Caregiver of autistic user
AUTISM

===== SIDA 31 =====

From guessing to 
understanding
When communication becomes clearer 
and more reliable, caregivers experience 
less uncertainty in everyday interactions. 
Reduced guessing and fewer 
misunderstandings ease emotional strain 
and allowing caregivers to feel less 
worried about what the user wants and 
needs. 
This leads to lower frustration for both the 
user and the caregiver.
68% 
less guessing in 
communication, gets 
it right faster
67% 
can understand 
and meet needs
48% 
feel less worried about 
what user wants and 
needs
Thanks to the high-tech AAC 
caregivers see advantages when 
it comes to…
CAREGIVER
Social

===== SIDA 32 =====

From interpreter to 
supporter
As users communicate more independently, 
caregivers can step back from the role of 
interpreter. Conversations and interactions 
shift toward greater equality. Caregivers 
move from speaking on behalf of the user to 
supporting participation.
This changes family and social dynamics and 
allows conversations to flow more naturally 
between the user and others.
30%
47%
Of caregivers see the users become 
less dependent on caregivers as 
interpreters as an advantage of 
high-tech AAC     
Of caregivers say thanks to high-
tech AAC  there is a better 
balance within the family, 
everyone can have a say
“It also opens up so others can care for 
her - even though the thought that she 
would move away from us one day is 
scary, but the device does technically 
enable this to happen if she wants.”
- Caregiver for Autistic user
CAREGIVER
Social & Phycological

===== SIDA 33 =====

Clear communication supports 
health & safety
Being able to communicate health needs and discomfort 
plays a critical role in physical well-being. 
High-tech AAC enables users to explain what feels wrong, 
signal pain or discomfort, and participate more actively in 
decisions related to their health.
For caregivers, this reduces uncertainty and worry. Knowing that 
needs can be communicated clearly improves responsiveness 
and contributes to a greater sense of safety for everyone 
involved. 
Of users see the 
ability to express 
health needs as an 
advantage of 
high-tech AAC       
Of caregivers say one 
advantage of high-tech 
AA is feeling less 
worried
48%
Of users see the ability 
to increased security / 
call for help as an 
advantage of 
high-tech AAC
53% 33%
Physical

===== SIDA 34 =====

61%
of users with CP 
say expressing health needs and 
issues as well as impacting one's 
health plan is a benefit of high-
tech AAC
75%
for ALS
“My son has struggled a little lately and with 
depression and sadness. And so, he's been able 
to meet with a therapist and, you know he 
doesn't want me in there.  With the device he’s 
able to have access to mental health.” 
- Caregiver to user with CP
CEREBRAL PALSY & ALS

===== SIDA 35 =====

Greater independence in 
everyday life
High-tech AAC supports independence across daily 
contexts, from accessing digital communication to 
engaging in entertainment and activities without 
constant assistance. These forms of independence help 
users structure their day according to their own 
interests and rhythms.
Being able to choose how to spend time, when to 
interact, and when to be alone contributes to a greater 
sense of freedom and control over one’s life 
environment.
Independence does not mean doing everything alone — 
it means having options.
2.7
4.6
Be an active member of 
society
X
X
= current ability
= estimated ability without a 
high-tech AAC tool
Estimated abilities with and without high-tech AAC
Scale 1-10, 10 = fully able, 1 = not at all able, average score
38%
33%
Of users see independent access to 
entertainment as an advantage of 
high-tech AAC       
Of users see the possibility to 
communicate with others 
digitally as an advantage of high-
tech AAC
Physical

===== SIDA 36 =====

84%
of ALS users see the 
possibility to communicate 
with others digitally as a 
benefit of high-tech AAC
“Through my device, I can stay active by 
being on the computer, communicate by 
typing and talking, and express myself by 
writing poems and books. It also allows me 
to manage everyday tasks like emails and 
online shopping on my own.”
 
- User with ALS
ALS

===== SIDA 37 =====

Greater control in 
everyday life
Access to high-tech AAC can give users more 
direct control over their immediate 
environment — from managing devices to 
signaling when assistance is needed or not 
needed. These small moments of control add 
up to greater independence in everyday life.
Reducing reliance on others for routine 
actions lightens the physical and cognitive 
burden on both users and caregivers. Having 
the ability to manage parts of daily life 
independently supports dignity, privacy, and 
physical comfort.
25%
21%
Of users see the ability 
to have private time as 
an advantage of high-
tech AAC       
Of users see the ability to 
control one’s environment as 
an advantage of high-tech 
AAC
2.7
4.3
Control one’s surroundings and 
immediate environment
“Oh! without it [high-tech AAC] I 
would be absolutely invisible. 
Without it I can’t move my chair, 
I’m stuck wherever somebody puts 
me. But with the iDrive on my 
device I can move around the 
house, open the door to let the 
dogs out. It gives me freedom.” 
- User with ALSX
X
= current ability
= estimated ability 
without a high-tech AAC 
tool
Estimated abilities with and 
without high-tech AAC
Scale 1-10, 10 = fully able, 1 = 
not at all able, average score
Physical

===== SIDA 38 =====

More control for users, less strain 
for caregivers
When users gain more control over parts 
of their daily environment, caregivers are 
less required to provide constant hands-on 
assistance. This reduces physical and 
cognitive strain and supports more 
sustainable caregiving routines.
Autonomy in small things matters. “He can walk into a store by himself and 
make a purchase totally independent 
from start to finish.”
- Caregiver of user with CP
Of caregivers see user’s the 
ability to be less reliant of 
a “second arm” as an 
advantage of high-tech AAC       24%
CAREGIVER
Physical

===== SIDA 39 =====

Balance & sustainability in 
everyday life
Improved communication reshapes everyday 
life for caregivers. Clearer communication 
reduces stress and increases confidence in 
sharing responsibility with others or leaving the 
user in different care contexts.
As daily interactions become more predictable, 
caregivers gain greater flexibility — more time 
and energy for other family members, work, or 
personal needs. These changes contribute to 
better balance in everyday life and support 
long-term sustainability in caregiving roles. 
Quality-of-life gains extend beyond the 
individual user.
CAREGIVER
Environmental
Of caregivers say that thanks 
to high-tech AAC they feel less 
stressed about their life 
situation.
23%

===== SIDA 40 =====

4.
THE VALUE OF 
HT-AAC ACROSS 
DIFFERENT USER GROUPS

===== SIDA 41 =====

Enabling expression, 
participation, and 
identity
Users with cerebral palsy and their caregivers 
especially highlight AAC benefits such as:
For individuals with conditions that limit speech, such as cerebral palsy, 
high-tech AAC can be life-changing. It opens up a way to move beyond basic 
needs and express thoughts, feelings, humor, and personality — things that 
are central to being human. It supports participation in everyday social and 
educational life while strengthening independence and identity.
Over time, this ability to express and be understood builds confidence and 
connection with others. For many, it means not only being heard but truly 
seen and recognized as a person. 
“These tools give me  a 
voice, independence, and 
the ability to express 
myself in ways that would 
otherwise be impossible.”
- User with CP
CEREBRAL PALSY
Enables richer 
communication beyond 
basic needs, allowing users 
to express personality, 
emotions, and preferences
Supports active 
participation in social 
and educational 
settings, moving from 
observation to 
engagement
Promotes independent 
communication, reducing 
the need for interpretation 
and enabling direct 
interaction with others
Helps caregivers better 
understand the user as 
a person, strengthening 
relationships and 
reducing uncertainty

===== SIDA 42 =====

Supporting communication  through 
structure & learning
Autistic users and their caregivers especially highlight 
AAC benefits such as:
For autistic users, high-tech AAC 
provides structure and predictability 
in communication. This supports 
learning, reduces uncertainty, and 
helps build confidence over time.
As communication becomes clearer 
and more manageable, frustration 
decreases and users are more able to 
engage with others and their 
surroundings.
“She was able to ask 
questions using her device, 
which helped reduce her 
anxiety and understand 
what was happening.”
- Caregiver of autistic user
AUTISM 
Provides structured and 
predictable communication, 
supporting language 
development and learning over 
time
Reduces anxiety and 
frustration by making 
communication clearer and 
more manageable
Encourages more frequent and 
confident communication in 
everyday situations
Helps caregivers reduce 
guesswork and better 
understand needs and 
intentions

===== SIDA 43 =====

Holding on to 
everyday life
Users with ALS and their caregivers especially 
highlight AAC benefits such as: 
For individuals with ALS, high-tech AAC is often essential 
for maintaining communication in everyday life. It enables 
users to express needs, stay connected, and retain control 
as speech is gradually lost.
As the ability to speak declines, high-tech AAC becomes a 
way to hold on to everyday life — not only to follow it, but 
to remain part of it. It allows users to take part in 
decisions at home, stay connected to school or work, and 
maintain meaningful social relationships,  remaining 
participants in life, not just observers of it. 
“Having this tool is 
like being able to stay 
alive…”
- User with ALS
ALS 
Enables independent 
communication when 
speech is limited, becoming 
a primary way to interact in 
daily life
Supports connection with 
others, including digital 
communication, and 
participation beyond the 
immediate circle
Plays a critical role in 
expressing health needs, 
ensuring safety, and 
maintaining control in 
everyday situations
Reduces reliance on 
caregivers by supporting 
autonomy and increasing 
confidence in daily care

===== SIDA 44 =====

5.
THE CHALLENGES
AND LOOKING
AHEAD

===== SIDA 45 =====

“It takes longer to communicate, and 
it requires patience from both of us, 
but it’s worth it.” 
- Caregiver of user with CP
Communication takes time 
and energy 
High-tech AAC enables meaningful 
communication, but interaction often 
takes time and sustained effort. For 
users, composing messages can be slow 
and both mentally and physically 
demanding. For caregivers, 
communication requires patience and 
presence.
When communication takes longer than 
spoken interaction, frustration can arise,  
especially in everyday situations that 
demand speed. 
29%
Time-consuming to 
use
27%
Hard to express tonality 
and emotions
20%
Exhausting to use
Users experience the following 
challenges with high-tech AAC
Of caregivers see time and patience 
required for communication as a 
challenge
39%

===== SIDA 46 =====

Lack of patience from others 
creates frustration 
Communication through high-tech AAC 
depends not only on the user and the 
technology, but also on the willingness of 
others to wait and listen. When time 
pressure or impatience dominates, users 
may feel rushed or overlooked.
Caregivers often witness this struggle 
firsthand, seeing the user try to express 
something meaningful while the 
surrounding world moves on.
39%
Of users see the 
challenge that others do 
not always have the 
patience to wait 
Of caregivers see the 
challenge that it takes 
patience to 
communicate through 
the tool 
48%
“When people are just 
staring at you waiting for 
your response, it puts a lot 
of pressure on”
 - User with CP

===== SIDA 47 =====

71%
of users with ALS 
say that others do not always 
have the patience to wait for 
what one wants to say is a 
challenge of high-tech AAC
“When there’s more than three or four 
people in the room… conversations move 
quickly, making it hard to keep up. I want to 
be part of the conversation, but I can’t… it’s 
frustrating.” 
- User with ALS
ALS

===== SIDA 48 =====

Independence still relies on support 
from others
While AAC supports independence in 
communication, many users remain dependent on 
others to ensure the tool works in practice — from 
charging to bringing it along and positioning it 
correctly.
This dependency can be a source of stress for both 
users and caregivers, particularly when support is 
inconsistent or shared across many people in a 
network.
55%
Dependent on others to 
ensure it is used
30%
Lack of back-up solution if 
the system is down
Users experience the following 
challenges with high-tech AAC
45%
Need to teach others in 
the network
26%
Requires technical 
competence
Caregivers experience the 
following challenges with high-
tech AAC

===== SIDA 49 =====

51%
of caregivers to users with CP 
see the need to teach others in 
the network to use the tool as a 
challenge of high-tech AAC
“It was difficult for me to program the 
device, and it was also difficult for his 
teachers at school to understand how to 
program it, which made it harder to use 
consistently.”
- Caregiver of user with CP

===== SIDA 50 =====

• High-tech AAC is not equally accessible 
in all situations. Environmental factors 
such as noise, sunlight, water, or 
mobility can limit when and where the 
tool can be used.
• For users and caregivers, these 
limitations can interrupt 
communication and participation — 
especially outside the home. 
Users experience the following 
challenges with high-tech AAC
41%
 difficult to take outside 
the home
28% 
limited battery 
time
19% 
blocks field of vision 
outdoors 
55%
cannot be used 
everywhere 
High-tech AAC is always or most 
often used during…
High-tech AAC is seldom or never 
used during…
Speech 
therapy
Home life School/ 
work
Activities 
outside of 
home
Walks Exercise Beach Swimming 
Environmental & 
practical limitations

===== SIDA 51 =====

Among users with CP 
65%
see that the tool cannot be 
used everywhere and
52%
that it’s hard to take the 
tool outside the home as a 
challenges of high-tech AAC
@Torri – har vi 
något citat eller så 
kring detta: Hank 
som styr sin rullstol 
genom sin röst tex 
kan inte gå ut med 
den 
“The decision to or not to bring my device 
to social events is a constant debate… 
sometimes it’s more of a hindrance to 
bring it. At sporting events and music 
festivals for instance. It's quite dangerous 
to drive into a stadium with thousands of 
people with a big thing attached to my 
chair.”
- User with CP
CELEBRAL PALSY

===== SIDA 52 =====

Access is available, 
but not always 
straightforward
• Most users receive support for acquiring 
high-tech AAC through insurance or 
public funding. However, access is rarely 
straightforward. The process is often 
complex and time-consuming, relying 
heavily on the knowledge and 
persistence of speech-language 
pathologists (SLPs).
• SLPs play a critical role in navigating the 
application process and securing 
funding, often completing extensive 
documentation outside regular working 
hours. In many cases, access depends 
not only on formal systems, but on 
individual effort and advocacy.
• At the same time, current funding 
models do not always account for 
future needs. For progressive 
conditions such as ALS, this can delay 
access to the most appropriate 
solution — with significant 
consequences for the user’s ability to 
communicate.
• In response, many professionals 
develop informal solutions — such as 
shared device pools and access to 
print-passed tools — to ensure users 
receive support as early as possible.
“We’ve kind of built informal 
networks, like I have a closet 
of donated devices from 
former patients' families.”
- SLP
“If an ALS patient has any 
functional use of their upper 
body, they don’t qualify for the 
equipment through insurance. 
So, sometimes I have to 
counsel patients and say ‘I 
know this isn’t ideal, but we 
need to wait a little until we 
can access the other pieces of 
equipment for you.”
- SLP

===== SIDA 53 =====

Ongoing effort in learning, support & 
integration
• Many challenges with high-tech AAC stem not 
from the technology itself, but from the 
surrounding support system. Effective use 
depends on time, professional engagement, 
and coordination across networks.
• SLPs describe limited time and fragmented 
support, where key activities often fall outside 
scheduled work. As a result, responsibility shifts 
toward caregivers and families.
• Without structured processes, users and 
caregivers must rely on trial and error to 
maintain communication in everyday life.
27%
Requires high motivation 
to learn
26%
Lacks support from others 
in learning
Users experience the following 
challenges with high-tech AAC
28%
Time-consuming to 
learn
23%
Time-consuming to 
keep updated
Caregivers experience the 
following challenges with high-
tech AAC

===== SIDA 54 =====

“It’s impossible in a 30 or 45 minute session 
to give both the child and the parent what 
they need. So I often take unpaid time to 
help. I do what I can on my own time to 
support them.”
- SLP
PROFFESSIONAL

===== SIDA 55 =====

AI is shifting
expectations
Many of the challenges 
described by users and 
caregivers relate to effort, 
speed, and limitations in 
expressing nuance. Writing 
messages takes time, sustaining 
communication can be 
exhausting, and conveying 
personality, tone, or humor 
remains difficult.
At the same time, expectations 
around technology are 
changing. Users describe a 
desire for communication tools 
that adapt more closely to how 
they think, speak, and express 
themselves.
There is growing interest in 
AI-supported functionality that 
can anticipate words, support 
longer and more nuanced 
expressions, and help users 
communicate more fluently — 
while still keeping the user in 
control of what is said and how it 
is said.
“I made a GPT that sounds like 
me... I give it an outline of 
what I want to say, and it fills 
in the gaps. I view it as 
assistive technology because it 
still is my thoughts – but 
longer.”
- User with CP
“If every unfiltered idea just 
popped up on the screen, I’d 
either be the funniest 
person in the room or get 
myself into some serious 
trouble.”
- User with CP

===== SIDA 56 =====

6.
TO SUMMARIZE…

===== SIDA 57 =====

For the user, high-tech AAC 
significantly strengthens overall 
well being 
Enables 
expression & identity
• Users move beyond basic 
needs to express thoughts, 
personality, and emotions
• Communication becomes a 
foundation for confidence 
and self-expression
to sum up
Estimated well-
being without a 
high-tech ACC 
tool
Estimated well-being 
(mental and physical)
Scale 1-10, 10 = best 
possible health, 
1 = worst possible health, 
average score
Current well-
being
4.3
7.1
Access to high-tech AAC is associated with a substantial 
improvement in overall well-being. When users are able to 
communicate effectively, they report higher levels of 
satisfaction, independence, and participation in everyday life.
At the same time, this improvement depends on having 
consistent access to the right tools, support, and conditions — 
which shape how and when these benefits can be realized.
+65%
increase in 
well-being with 
access to AAC

===== SIDA 58 =====

Access to high-tech AAC
enables participation, independence, 
and quality of life
Enables 
expression & identity
• Users move beyond basic 
needs to express thoughts, 
personality, and emotions
• Communication becomes a 
foundation for confidence 
and self-expression
Supports 
participation & inclusion
• Enables active participation 
in school, work, and social 
life
• Shifts users from observers 
to contributors
Strengthens independence 
& control
• Increases autonomy in daily 
life and decision-making
• Supports safety and the 
ability to communicate 
health needs
Improves well-being for users 
& caregivers
• Reduces anxiety and 
frustration for users
• Reduces uncertainty, stress, 
and emotional burden for 
caregivers
to sum up

===== SIDA 59 =====

to sum up
… granting users with access to high-
tech AAC gives a
3.3x
return of investment 
per high-tech AAC tool and user over a 
five-year period
And for society…

===== SIDA 60 =====

Questions? 
Please reach out!
If you have questions about this study, please reach out to Emma Fernlund (emma.fernlund@augur.se) or Torri Brett 
Jonsson (torri@augur.se) at Augur 
For inquiries regarding Dynavox Group, please contact Elin Pettersson (elin.pettersson@tobiidynavox.com)
This Health Economic Study is owned by Dynavox Group, having been commissioned through Augur AB. 
As the owner, Dynavox Group retains all rights and responsibilities associated with the report's content and dissemination, 
while Augur AB facilitated its production and delivery.

===== SIDA 61 =====

APPENDIX

===== SIDA 62 =====

First symptom of 
diagnosis:
12,0 
years
Diagnosis set: 13,4 
years
Speech disabilities 
started:
12,8 
years
High-tech AAC users in USA
An overview of the total segment (as per this sample)
1 Respondent 3 Diagnosis 4 AAC Solutions 
2 Demographics (user)
User 21%
Caregiver 58%
Assistant 16%
User and caregiver together 5%
Role in responding
Parent 81%
Sibling 1%
Grandparent 3%
Partner 4%
Friend 2%
Child 1%
Other caregiver 2%
Other 6%
if caregiver:
36%
58%
Woman Man Non-binary
Other option Unsure No response
0-5 years 19%
6-11 years 25%
12-17 years 13%
Over 18 years 43%
Gender
Location
Age
Diagnosis
Cerebral palsy 22%
Autism 42%
ALS 15%
Stroke 3%
MS
Parkinson's disease
Rett syndrome 2%
Angelman syndrome 1%
Intellectual disability 19%
Other diagnosis (open answer) 33%
if…
Spastic CP 68%
Dyskinetic CP 15%
Atactic CP 9%
Don’t know 17%
Autism (level)
Level 1 6%
Level 2 22%
Level 3 47%
Don’t know 25%
Intellectual disability 
(degree)
Average age… 
Mild 7%
Moderate 32%
Severe 37%
Profound 16%
Don’t know 8%
Low-tech AAC tools, e.g. communication
boards/books etc. 31%
Eye-controlled communication aid 40%
Touch-controlled communication aid 67%
Gestures, sign language 24%
Other (open text answer) 13%
Type of AAC tools used
Specific communication tools used Communication 
software/program used
Average starting age with 
high-tech AAC
18.7 years
Target group
CP (type)
iPad 33%
TD I-Series 23%
TD Navio 11%
TD Pilot 11%
TD I-110 10%
Computer 7%
Ablenet/QuickTalker 3%
PCEye on Windows tablet/computer 3%
Eyegaze Edge 2%
SC Tablet/ SC Tablet Mini 2%
Accent 2%
TalkPad 2%
Accent with Look Eyetracking 1%
WeGo 1%
Grid Pad 1%
Nova Chat 1%
Grid Pad with eyegaze 1%
Hiru (Eyetracking) with tablet 1%
Lightwriter 1%
ProSlate 1%
Other, namely: 16%
TD Snap 62%
Communicator 5 15%
TD Control 11%
TD Talk 10%
Assitive Touch on iPhone/iPad 8%
TouchChat 6%
Proloquo2Go 6%
TD Browse 5%
TD Phone 4%
Windows Accessibility 3%
Grid for iPad 2%
Words for Life (WFL) 2%
Wordpower 2%
Look to Learn 2%
Go Talk Now 2%
Grid 2/3 1%
Avaz 1%
Minspeak 1%
Speak for Yourself 1%
EyeFX 1%
Predictable 1%
Other, namely: 9%
Base: high-tech users and/or caregivers/assistants, n = 1077
Alabama 2%
Alaska 0%
Arizona 2%
Arkansas 1%
California 9%
Colorado 1%
Connecticut 1%
Delaware 0%
Florida 6%
Georgia 3%
Hawaii 0%
Idaho 1%
Illinois 5%
Indiana 3%
Iowa 2%
Kansas 1%
Kentucky 2%
Louisiana 1%
Maine 1%
Maryland 1%
Massachusetts 2%
Michigan 3%
Minnesota 4%
Mississippi 1%
Missouri 1%
Montana 0%
Nebraska 1%
Nevada 1%
New Hampshire 1%
New Jersey 2%
New Mexico 1%
New York 4%
North Carolina 3%
North Dakota 0%
Ohio 3%
Oklahoma 0%
Oregon 1%
Pennsylvania 3%
Rhode Island 0%
South Carolina 1%
South Dakota 1%
Tennessee 6%
Texas 9%
Utah 1%
Vermont
Virginia 2%
Washington 4%
West Virginia 0%
Wisconsin 3%
Wyoming 0%

===== SIDA 63 =====

First symptom of 
diagnosis:
0.3
 years
Diagnosis set: 0.9
years
Speech disabilities 
started:
0.9
years
High-tech AAC users w. CP
An overview of the total segment (as per this sample)
1 Respondent 3 Diagnosis 4 AAC Solutions 
2 Demographics (user)
User 14%
Caregiver 67%
Assistant 13%
User and caregiver together 6%
Role in responding
Parent 83%
Sibling 2%
Grandparent 3%
Partner 4%
Child 1%
Friend 4%
Other caregiver 4%
Other 6%
if caregiver:
42%
54%
Woman Man Non-binary
Other option Unsure No response
0-5 years 13%
6-11 years 22%
12-17 years 19%
Over 18 years 47%
Gender
Location
Age
Diagnosis
Cerebral palsy 100%
Autism 17%
ALS 1%
Stroke 2%
MS
Parkinson's disease
Rett syndrome
Angelman syndrome
Intellectual disability 34%
Other diagnosis (open answer) 24%
if…
Spastic CP 68%
Dyskinetic CP 15%
Atactic CP 9%
Don’t know 17%
Autism (level)
Level 1 10%
Level 2 12%
Level 3 37%
Don’t know 42%
Intellectual disability 
(degree)
Average age… 
Mild 8%
Moderate 29%
Severe 41%
Profound 18%
Don’t know 8%
Low-tech AAC tools, e.g. communication
boards/books etc. 25%
Eye-controlled communication aid 64%
Touch-controlled communication aid 45%
Gestures, sign language 17%
Other (open text answer) 17%
Type of AAC tools used
Specific communication tools used Communication 
software/program used
Average starting age with 
high-tech AAC
10.1 years
Target group
CP (type)
TD I-Series 23%
iPad 33%
TD Pilot 11%
TD I-110 10%
Computer 7%
Accent 2%
PCEye on Windows tablet/computer 3%
TD Navio 11%
Eyegaze Edge 2%
Accent with Look Eyetracking 1%
WeGo 1%
Grid Pad with eyegaze 1%
Grid Pad 1%
Lightwriter 1%
TalkPad 2%
Hiru (Eyetracking) with tablet 1%
SC Tablet/ SC Tablet Mini 2%
Nova Chat 1%
Other, namely: 16%
TD Snap 64%
Communicator 5 22%
TD Control 9%
Assitive Touch on iPhone/iPad 7%
TD Talk 4%
TD Browse 4%
Look to Learn 4%
TouchChat 4%
Proloquo2Go 4%
Go Talk Now 3%
Windows Accessibility 3%
Wordpower 3%
Minspeak 3%
EyeFX 2%
TD Phone 1%
Grid for iPad 1%
Words for Life (WFL) 1%
Avaz 1%
Speak for Yourself 1%
Grid 2/3 1%
Other, namely: 9%
Base: high-tech users and/or caregivers/assistants, n = 236
Alabama 3%
Alaska 0%
Arizona 2%
Arkansas
California 11%
Colorado 1%
Connecticut 1%
Delaware
Florida 7%
Georgia 3%
Hawaii 1%
Idaho 0%
Illinois 5%
Indiana 3%
Iowa 2%
Kansas 1%
Kentucky
Louisiana 0%
Maine
Maryland 0%
Massachusetts 1%
Michigan 7%
Minnesota 4%
Mississippi 0%
Missouri 1%
Montana
Nebraska 1%
Nevada 1%
New Hampshire 1%
New Jersey 1%
New Mexico 1%
New York 3%
North Carolina 4%
North Dakota 0%
Ohio 3%
Oklahoma
Oregon 3%
Pennsylvania 2%
Rhode Island 0%
South Carolina 1%
South Dakota 1%
Tennessee 4%
Texas 6%
Utah 1%
Vermont
Virginia 2%
Washington 3%
West Virginia 0%
Wisconsin 3%
Wyoming 0%

===== SIDA 64 =====

First symptom of 
diagnosis:
1.6
years
Diagnosis set: 3.6 years
Speech disabilities 
started:
1.7
years
High-tech AAC autistic users
An overview of the total segment (as per this sample)
1 Respondent 3 Diagnosis 4 AAC Solutions 
2 Demographics (user)
User 9%
Caregiver 68%
Assistant 20%
User and caregiver together 4%
Role in responding
Parent 88%
Sibling 1%
Grandparent 3%
Partner
Child 1%
Friend 1%
Other caregiver 3%
Other 4%
if caregiver:
26%
63%
Woman Man Non-binary
Other option Unsure No response
0-5 years 29%
6-11 years 37%
12-17 years 14%
Over 18 years 20%
Gender
Location
Age
Diagnosis
Cerebral palsy 9%
Autism 100%
ALS
Stroke
MS
Parkinson's disease
Rett syndrome
Angelman syndrome
Intellectual disability 21%
Other diagnosis (open answer) 26%
if…
Spastic CP 68%
Dyskinetic CP 10%
Atactic CP 20%
Don’t know 20%
Autism (level)
Level 1 6%
Level 2 22%
Level 3 47%
Don’t know 25%
Intellectual disability 
(degree)
Average age… 
Mild 9%
Moderate 30%
Severe 33%
Profound 18%
Don’t know 5%
Low-tech AAC tools, e.g. communication
boards/books etc. 38%
Eye-controlled communication aid 9%
Touch-controlled communication aid 95%
Gestures, sign language 31%
Other (open text answer) 10%
Type of AAC tools used
Specific communication tools used Communication 
software/program used
Average starting age with 
high-tech AAC
8.0 years
Target group
CP (type)
iPad 47%
TD I-110 16%
TD Navio 16%
TD I-Series 8%
Ablenet/QuickTalker 5%
Computer 4%
SC Tablet/ SC Tablet Mini 3%
TD Pilot 2%
TalkPad 2%
Accent 2%
Nova Chat 2%
WeGo 1%
Grid Pad 1%
Lightwriter 1%
Other, namely: 16%
TD Snap 68%
Proloquo2Go 10%
TouchChat 10%
Assitive Touch on iPhone/iPad 7%
TD Talk 5%
Words for Life (WFL) 4%
Grid for iPad 3%
Wordpower 3%
Go Talk Now 2%
Avaz 2%
Communicator 5 1%
Grid 2/3 1%
Speak for Yourself 1%
TD Control 1%
TD Phone 1%
TD Browse 1%
Windows Accessibility 1%
Minspeak 1%
Look to Learn 1%
Other, namely: 10%
Base: high-tech users and/or caregivers/assistants, n = 456
Alabama 2%
Alaska 0%
Arizona 2%
Arkansas 1%
California 6%
Colorado 1%
Connecticut 1%
Delaware 0%
Florida 6%
Georgia 3%
Hawaii
Idaho 1%
Illinois 5%
Indiana 3%
Iowa 2%
Kansas 1%
Kentucky 3%
Louisiana 1%
Maine 0%
Maryland 1%
Massachusetts 2%
Michigan 4%
Minnesota 3%
Mississippi 1%
Missouri 0%
Montana 0%
Nebraska 2%
Nevada 1%
New Hampshire 0%
New Jersey 2%
New Mexico 1%
New York 3%
North Carolina 4%
North Dakota
Ohio 3%
Oklahoma 1%
Oregon 1%
Pennsylvania 4%
Rhode Island 0%
South Carolina 0%
South Dakota
Tennessee 7%
Texas 11%
Utah 0%
Vermont
Virginia 3%
Washington 3%
West Virginia 0%
Wisconsin 4%
Wyoming 0%

===== SIDA 65 =====

First symptom of 
diagnosis:
53.1
years
Diagnosis set: 54.1
years
Speech disabilities 
started:
55.2
 years
High-tech AAC users w. ALS
An overview of the total segment (as per this sample)
1 Respondent 3 Diagnosis 4 AAC Solutions 
2 Demographics (user)
User 69%
Caregiver 20%
Assistant 6%
User and caregiver together 5%
Role in responding
Parent 13%
Sibling 2%
Grandparent 3%
Partner 3%
Child
Friend 1%
Other caregiver 1%
Other 6%
if caregiver:
46%52%
Woman Man Non-binary
Other option Unsure No response
0-5 years
6-11 years 1%
12-17 years 1%
Over 18 years 99%
Gender
Location
Age
Diagnosis
Cerebral palsy 1%
Autism
ALS 100%
Stroke 1%
MS
Parkinson's disease
Rett syndrome
Angelman syndrome
Intellectual disability 22%
Other diagnosis (open answer) 3%
if…
Spastic CP 50%
Dyskinetic CP
Atactic CP 50%
Don’t know
Autism (level)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Don’t know
Intellectual disability 
(degree)
Average age… 
Mild
Moderate 67%
Severe 33%
Profound
Don’t know
Low-tech AAC tools, e.g. communication
boards/books etc. 23%
Eye-controlled communication aid 81%
Touch-controlled communication aid 31%
Gestures, sign language 8%
Other (open text answer) 13%
Type of AAC tools used
Specific communication tools used Communication 
software/program used
Average starting age with 
high-tech AAC
55.8 years
Target group
CP (type)
TD I-Series 49%
TD Pilot 27%
iPad 22%
Computer 16%
Eyegaze Edge 7%
PCEye on Windows tablet/computer 7%
TD I-110 3%
TalkPad 3%
Accent with Look Eyetracking 1%
SC Tablet/ SC Tablet Mini 1%
Accent 1%
Control Bionics/NeuroNode 1%
Other, namely: 16%
Communicator 5 41%
TD Snap 40%
TD Control 40%
TD Talk 28%
TD Phone 20%
Assitive Touch on iPhone/iPad 16%
TD Browse 16%
Windows Accessibility 8%
Grid 2/3 1%
Look to Learn 1%
TouchChat 1%
Wordpower 1%
EyeFX 1%
Grid for iPad 1%
Predictable 1%
MindExpress 1%
Other, namely: 15%
Base: high-tech users and/or caregivers/assistants, n = 159
Alabama 2%
Alaska 1%
Arizona 2%
Arkansas
California 14%
Colorado 2%
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida 8%
Georgia 2%
Hawaii 1%
Idaho
Illinois 6%
Indiana 3%
Iowa 1%
Kansas 1%
Kentucky 1%
Louisiana 1%
Maine 1%
Maryland
Massachusetts 3%
Michigan
Minnesota 3%
Mississippi 1%
Missouri 3%
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey 3%
New Mexico
New York 4%
North Carolina 1%
North Dakota
Ohio 3%
Oklahoma
Oregon 1%
Pennsylvania 3%
Rhode Island
South Carolina 1%
South Dakota
Tennessee 6%
Texas 9%
Utah 3%
Vermont
Virginia 2%
Washington 8%
West Virginia 1%
Wisconsin 1%
Wyoming

===== SIDA 66 =====

Total 
wellbeing
Q: How would you rate [your/the user's] overall 
health and well-being today on a scale from 1 to 
10? 10 is the best health you can imagine, and 1 
is the worst health you can imagine. Consider 
both [your/the user's] mental and physical well-
being.
Q: Imagine what it would be like if [you/the user] 
did not have access to a high-tech 
communication tool (i.e. only communicated 
through blinking/picture boards/letter boards, 
etc.). If this was the case, how do you think 
[your/the user's] overall health would be today on 
a scale from 1 to 10?
Base: Total (n=1008), Users w. CP (n=217), Users 
w. autism (n=433), Users w. ALS (n=149)
4,3
7,1
4,4
7,4
4,6
7,6
2,7
5,2
0,0
1,0
2,0
3,0
4,0
5,0
6,0
7,0
8,0
Total
No HT
ACC
Total
With HT
ACC
CP
 No HT
ACC
CP
With HT
ACC
Autism
No HT
ACC
Autism
With HT
ACC
ALS
No HT
ACC
ALS
With HT
ACC
Mean
Total CP Autism ALS
No HT ACC With HT ACC No HT ACC With HT ACC No HT ACC With HT ACC No HT ACC With HT ACC
1 17% 2% 13% 12% 1% 46% 7%
2 13% 2% 16% 1% 10% 1% 17% 9%
3 14% 4% 15% 1% 15% 3% 13% 11%
4 12% 5% 12% 5% 13% 4% 7% 11%
5 14% 11% 10% 9% 16% 9% 5% 23%
6 9% 9% 10% 11% 10% 6% 2% 6%
7 7% 14% 8% 18% 9% 14% 3% 9%
8 7% 24% 8% 29% 7% 28% 2% 13%
9 4% 16% 5% 16% 4% 17% 3% 8%
10 3% 12% 3% 11% 4% 17% 2% 3%
Don't know 1% 1% 1% 1%

===== SIDA 67 =====

Care 
needs
TOTAL
Q: Approximately, on how many occasions or 
days have [you/the user] needed the following 
types of care in the past 12 months?
Q: Once again, imagine what it would be like if 
[you/the user] did not have access to a high-tech 
communication tool. If this was the case, on how 
many visits/days do you think [you/the user] 
would have been in need of the following types of 
care?
Base: Total (n=676)
11% 11% 11%
14%
13%
17%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC
Average
Outpatient care Inpatient care Emergency department
No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC
None 18% 18% 71% 82% 65% 73%
1 9% 10% 6% 6% 10% 13%
2-5 28% 33% 5% 5% 9% 9%
6-10 13% 14% 2% 2% 1% 0%
11-15 5% 5% 0% 0% 0%
16-20 4% 4% 0% 0% 0%
21-30 2% 3% 0%
31 or more 7% 6% 1% 0% 0%
Don't know 15% 6% 15% 5% 14% 5%
Outpatient care Inpatient care Emergency department

===== SIDA 68 =====

Care 
needs
Users w. CP
Q: Approximately, on how many occasions or 
days have [you/the user] needed the following 
types of care in the past 12 months?
Q: Once again, imagine what it would be like if 
[you/the user] did not have access to a high-tech 
communication tool. If this was the case, on how 
many visits/days do you think [you/the user] 
would have been in need of the following types of 
care?
Base: Total (n=172)
11% 11%
20% 20% 20% 20%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC
Average
Outpatient care Inpatient care Emergency department
No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC
None 15% 14% 72% 84% 65% 76%
1 8% 9% 6% 8% 11% 11%
2-5 28% 33% 4% 2% 9% 9%
6-10 17% 21% 3% 1% 1% 1%
11-15 6% 5%
16-20 4% 5%
21-30 2% 3%
31 or more 6% 5%
Don't know 15% 6% 15% 4% 15% 4%
Outpatient care Inpatient care Emergency department

===== SIDA 69 =====

Care 
needs
Autistic users
Q: Approximately, on how many occasions or 
days have [you/the user] needed the following 
types of care in the past 12 months?
Q: Once again, imagine what it would be like if 
[you/the user] did not have access to a high-tech 
communication tool. If this was the case, on how 
many visits/days do you think [you/the user] 
would have been in need of the following types of 
care?
Base: Total (n=324)
11% 11% 13%
14% 14%
17%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC
Average
Outpatient care Inpatient care Emergency department
No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC
None 18% 20% 70% 82% 65% 71%
1 8% 8% 7% 6% 11% 14%
2-5 27% 32% 7% 5% 8% 10%
6-10 14% 14% 1% 1% 2% 0%
11-15 3% 3% 1% 0%
16-20 4% 5% 1% 0% 0%
21-30 2% 3% 0%
31 or more 10% 9% 1% 1%
Don't know 15% 6% 14% 5% 13% 5%
Outpatient care Inpatient care Emergency department

===== SIDA 70 =====

Care 
needs
Users w. ALS
Q: Approximately, on how many occasions or 
days have [you/the user] needed the following 
types of care in the past 12 months?
Q: Once again, imagine what it would be like if 
[you/the user] did not have access to a high-tech 
communication tool. If this was the case, on how 
many visits/days do you think [you/the user] 
would have been in need of the following types of 
care?
Base: Total (n=40)
13%
17%
20%
25%
20%
33%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC
Average
Outpatient care Inpatient care Emergency department
No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC No HT AAC With HT AAC
None 20% 20% 75% 83% 73% 80%
1 20% 23% 3% 8% 3% 13%
2-5 30% 43% 5% 5% 10% 8%
6-10 8% 5% 5% 5%
11-15 3% 5%
16-20
21-30 3% 5%
31 or more 3% 5%
Don't know 15% 13% 10%
Outpatient care Inpatient care Emergency department

===== SIDA 71 =====

Abilities
Q: To what extend do you feel that [you/the user] 
can do the following today?
Q: Without [your/the user's] communication tool, 
to what extent do you think [you/the user] would 
be able to do the following?
Base: Total (n=942-1008)
TOTAL
Mean values
3,0
5,5
2,7
4,9
2,5
4,8
2,8
4,9
2,8
4,8
3,3
6,4
3,2
5,6
3,7
6,2
2,7
4,3
2,7
4,6
0,0
1,0
2,0
3,0
4,0
5,0
6,0
7,0
8,0
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
MEAN
Communicate
thoughts and feelings
Communicate health 
problems and 
medical needs
Communicate with 
people outside the 
immediate circle
Participate and 
contribute at 
school/workplace
Be involved in various 
social contexts
Express 
preferences/will
Form social bonds 
with other people
Develop abilities and 
learn new things
Control one's 
surroundings and 
immediate 
environment
Be an active member 
of society

===== SIDA 72 =====

Abilities
Q: To what extend do you feel that [you/the user] 
can do the following today?
Q: Without [your/the user's] communication tool, 
to what extent do you think [you/the user] would 
be able to do the following?
Base: Total (n=942-1008)
Communicate
thoughts and feelings
Communicate health 
problems and 
medical needs
Communicate with 
people outside the 
immediate circle
Participate and 
contribute at 
school/workplace
Be involved in various 
social contexts
Express 
preferences/will
Form social bonds 
with other people
Develop abilities and 
learn new things
Control one's 
surroundings and 
immediate 
environment
Be an active member 
of society
No HT AAC With
HT AAC No HT AAC With
HT AAC No HT AAC With
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With
HT AAC
1 - Not at all 30% 9% 42% 17% 45% 14% 38% 16% 36% 12% 24% 5% 30% 6% 23% 4% 43% 21% 40% 15%
2 26% 11% 24% 14% 25% 15% 22% 9% 25% 13% 26% 7% 22% 11% 18% 7% 21% 11% 22% 13%
3 16% 11% 12% 10% 10% 10% 13% 8% 13% 12% 17% 6% 14% 10% 17% 7% 11% 12% 12% 12%
4 8% 8% 6% 9% 6% 10% 8% 7% 8% 9% 9% 9% 9% 10% 9% 8% 7% 9% 8% 9%
5 7% 11% 5% 9% 6% 12% 7% 11% 7% 14% 8% 11% 9% 14% 11% 12% 7% 10% 6% 13%
6 3% 8% 3% 6% 2% 9% 3% 9% 4% 10% 4% 7% 5% 8% 5% 9% 3% 8% 3% 7%
7 3% 10% 3% 7% 1% 7% 2% 9% 2% 9% 4% 13% 3% 11% 6% 16% 2% 7% 3% 9%
8 2% 11% 2% 8% 2% 7% 3% 9% 2% 9% 2% 14% 3% 10% 4% 13% 1% 7% 2% 5%
9 2% 8% 2% 7% 1% 5% 2% 5% 1% 4% 2% 11% 2% 7% 3% 9% 2% 4% 2% 5%
10 - Fully 3% 12% 3% 11% 2% 9% 2% 6% 2% 6% 4% 16% 3% 10% 4% 12% 3% 6% 2% 6%
Don't know 2% 3% 2% 12% 4% 2% 3% 3% 6% 7%
TOTAL
Full scale

===== SIDA 73 =====

Abilities
Q: To what extend do you feel that [you/the user] 
can do the following today?
Q: Without [your/the user's] communication tool, 
to what extent do you think [you/the user] would 
be able to do the following?
Base: Total (n=195-217)
USERS W. CP
Mean values
3,2
6,3
2,7
5,3
2,7
5,3
3,0
5,8
3,0
5,5
3,5
6,9
3,6
6,5
3,8
6,8
2,5
4,4
3,0
5,3
0,0
1,0
2,0
3,0
4,0
5,0
6,0
7,0
8,0
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
MEAN
Communicate
thoughts and feelings
Communicate health 
problems and 
medical needs
Communicate with 
people outside the 
immediate circle
Participate and 
contribute at 
school/workplace
Be involved in various 
social contexts
Express 
preferences/will
Form social bonds 
with other people
Develop abilities and 
learn new things
Control one's 
surroundings and 
immediate 
environment
Be an active member 
of society

===== SIDA 74 =====

Abilities
Q: To what extend do you feel that [you/the user] 
can do the following today?
Q: Without [your/the user's] communication tool, 
to what extent do you think [you/the user] would 
be able to do the following?
Base: Total (n=195-217)
Communicate
thoughts and feelings
Communicate health 
problems and 
medical needs
Communicate with 
people outside the 
immediate circle
Participate and 
contribute at 
school/workplace
Be involved in various 
social contexts
Express 
preferences/will
Form social bonds 
with other people
Develop abilities and 
learn new things
Control one's 
surroundings and 
immediate 
environment
Be an active member 
of society
No HT AAC With
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC
1 - Not at all 25% 5% 41% 16% 43% 9% 30% 7% 29% 6% 21% 3% 23% 1% 19% 47% 21% 31% 9%
2 25% 8% 21% 11% 22% 16% 24% 8% 26% 10% 25% 7% 23% 5% 19% 6% 20% 11% 26% 12%
3 18% 9% 12% 8% 10% 8% 16% 7% 11% 12% 18% 6% 13% 8% 17% 6% 11% 11% 13% 11%
4 10% 6% 6% 7% 9% 7% 11% 7% 10% 9% 8% 7% 9% 11% 9% 7% 8% 11% 9% 8%
5 7% 13% 7% 9% 5% 12% 8% 12% 11% 12% 11% 7% 11% 13% 12% 15% 5% 7% 7% 11%
6 2% 7% 3% 7% 3% 11% 3% 11% 4% 9% 4% 6% 5% 6% 5% 8% 2% 11% 4% 8%
7 3% 11% 1% 11% 1% 8% 2% 11% 2% 12% 4% 12% 5% 13% 8% 16% 2% 6% 4% 12%
8 2% 12% 2% 9% 2% 8% 2% 11% 2% 12% 1% 12% 3% 14% 4% 11% 1% 8% 1% 9%
9 5% 12% 3% 8% 2% 8% 4% 7% 2% 7% 5% 17% 4% 11% 3% 13% 2% 6% 3% 7%
10 - Fully 3% 17% 2% 12% 2% 11% 1% 10% 2% 9% 4% 21% 3% 15% 3% 16% 2% 5% 2% 9%
Don't know 1% 3% 2% 10% 4% 2% 3% 2% 4% 4%
USERS W. CP
Full scale

===== SIDA 75 =====

Abilities
Q: To what extend do you feel that [you/the user] 
can do the following today?
Q: Without [your/the user's] communication tool, 
to what extent do you think [you/the user] would 
be able to do the following?
Base: Total (n=395-433)
AUTISM
Mean values
2,6
4,6
2,2
3,7
2,3
4,0
2,9
4,9
2,6
4,1
3,1
5,9
3,0
4,7
3,8
6,1
2,6
4,1
2,5
3,9
0,0
1,0
2,0
3,0
4,0
5,0
6,0
7,0
8,0
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
MEAN
Communicate
thoughts and feelings
Communicate health 
problems and 
medical needs
Communicate with 
people outside the 
immediate circle
Participate and 
contribute at 
school/workplace
Be involved in various 
social contexts
Express 
preferences/will
Form social bonds 
with other people
Develop abilities and 
learn new things
Control one's 
surroundings and 
immediate 
environment
Be an active member 
of society

===== SIDA 76 =====

Abilities
Q: To what extend do you feel that [you/the user] 
can do the following today?
Q: Without [your/the user's] communication tool, 
to what extent do you think [you/the user] would 
be able to do the following?
Base: Total (n=395-433)
Communicate
thoughts and feelings
Communicate health 
problems and 
medical needs
Communicate with 
people outside the 
immediate circle
Participate and 
contribute at 
school/workplace
Be involved in various 
social contexts
Express 
preferences/will
Form social bonds 
with other people
Develop abilities and 
learn new things
Control one's 
surroundings and 
immediate 
environment
Be an active member 
of society
No HT AAC With
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC
1 - Not at all 38% 14% 52% 25% 49% 20% 33% 10% 38% 16% 28% 6% 31% 8% 20% 2% 43% 21% 44% 17%
2 26% 13% 24% 19% 25% 17% 24% 10% 27% 16% 25% 8% 24% 16% 19% 8% 23% 12% 22% 14%
3 14% 14% 7% 12% 9% 11% 16% 12% 13% 12% 18% 7% 16% 13% 18% 9% 11% 13% 13% 13%
4 6% 10% 5% 10% 6% 12% 6% 10% 7% 10% 9% 11% 7% 11% 10% 7% 6% 10% 6% 11%
5 7% 14% 4% 10% 5% 12% 8% 14% 7% 17% 6% 12% 8% 16% 10% 14% 7% 12% 7% 14%
6 2% 9% 2% 7% 1% 10% 3% 9% 3% 9% 5% 8% 5% 8% 6% 11% 4% 6% 1% 7%
7 2% 8% 2% 5% 1% 4% 1% 11% 1% 6% 3% 15% 2% 9% 5% 16% 2% 6% 2% 7%
8 1% 7% 1% 4% 2% 4% 3% 9% 2% 6% 1% 14% 3% 7% 3% 16% 1% 7% 2% 3%
9 1% 3% 2% 3% 1% 2% 2% 4% 1% 2% 2% 7% 2% 2% 4% 6% 1% 2% 1% 1%
10 - Fully 3% 6% 1% 4% 2% 6% 3% 6% 2% 4% 4% 11% 2% 7% 4% 9% 3% 5% 2% 4%
Don't know 2% 2% 2% 6% 4% 2% 3% 2% 5% 9%
AUTISM
Full scale

===== SIDA 77 =====

Abilities
Q: To what extend do you feel that [you/the user] 
can do the following today?
Q: Without [your/the user's] communication tool, 
to what extent do you think [you/the user] would 
be able to do the following?
Base: Total (n=112-149)
ALS
Mean values
3,4
7,2
3,5
7,6
2,5
6,3
1,7
3,1
2,4
5,1
3,4
7,6
2,6
6,1
2,9
6,1
2,7
5,1
2,5
5,0
0,0
1,0
2,0
3,0
4,0
5,0
6,0
7,0
8,0
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
No HT
AAC
With
HT
AAC
MEAN
Communicate
thoughts and feelings
Communicate health 
problems and 
medical needs
Communicate with 
people outside the 
immediate circle
Participate and 
contribute at 
school/workplace
Be involved in various 
social contexts
Express 
preferences/will
Form social bonds 
with other people
Develop abilities and 
learn new things
Control one's 
surroundings and 
immediate 
environment
Be an active member 
of society

===== SIDA 78 =====

Abilities
Q: To what extend do you feel that [you/the user] 
can do the following today?
Q: Without [your/the user's] communication tool, 
to what extent do you think [you/the user] would 
be able to do the following?
Base: Total (n=112-149)
Communicate
thoughts and feelings
Communicate health 
problems and 
medical needs
Communicate with 
people outside the 
immediate circle
Participate and 
contribute at 
school/workplace
Be involved in various 
social contexts
Express 
preferences/will
Form social bonds 
with other people
Develop abilities and 
learn new things
Control one's 
surroundings and 
immediate 
environment
Be an active member 
of society
No HT AAC With
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC No HT AAC With 
HT AAC
1 - Not at all 27% 1% 27% 3% 51% 5% 77% 42% 50% 13% 27% 2% 52% 5% 44% 9% 49% 15% 55% 18%
2 25% 5% 23% 3% 19% 11% 9% 6% 20% 11% 30% 5% 17% 9% 17% 7% 18% 9% 17% 13%
3 15% 7% 16% 4% 7% 7% 5% 3% 10% 13% 13% 4% 9% 11% 13% 5% 10% 10% 7% 5%
4 9% 2% 10% 5% 4% 4% 4% 1% 5% 7% 7% 3% 6% 9% 8% 8% 5% 6% 7% 7%
5 5% 9% 2% 7% 6% 11% 7% 6% 9% 3% 9% 3% 11% 2% 10% 4% 10% 2% 14%
6 4% 7% 3% 6% 3% 9% 2% 3% 6% 3% 2% 4% 5% 1% 5% 1% 9% 3% 7%
7 3% 9% 5% 6% 4% 11% 2% 1% 2% 14% 8% 12% 1% 7% 5% 13% 3% 13% 3% 8%
8 3% 20% 5% 17% 3% 13% 7% 1% 11% 1% 16% 3% 10% 2% 11% 3% 6% 2% 6%
9 3% 13% 3% 16% 11% 1% 1% 1% 4% 3% 18% 2% 14% 3% 11% 3% 5% 4% 10%
10 - Fully 5% 24% 6% 31% 2% 15% 3% 4% 2% 9% 6% 28% 4% 15% 5% 15% 4% 10% 1% 9%
Don't know 1% 2% 2% 25% 3% 2% 4% 5% 7% 3%
ALS
Full scale

===== SIDA 79 =====

Usage
TOTAL
Q: How much [do you/does the user] use [your/his/her] 
communication tool? Make an estimate for a regular day/week.
Q: In what situations do/don't you/the user use your 
communication tool? 
Base: Total (n=841)
43% 42%
32%
8%
25%
7%
21%
3%
18% 17%
3%
61%
50%
24% 47%
31%
39%
25%
47%
8%
36% 36%
10%
17%
5%
6%
10%
42%
29%
33%
22%
48%
19%
38%
39%
5%
2%
27%
11%
19%
7%
36%
10%
41%
27%
10%
49%
18%
At home In school/at
work
At daily
activities
At walks At medical
visits
At physical
activities
At activities
outside of
the home
At the
swimming
pool
Hanging out
with friends
outside of
home
During
transport
At the
beach
At speech
therapy
Usage in different situations
All the time Sometimes Never Not relevant
17%
29%38%
4% 8%
4% 1%
Usage during a regular day
Practically all waking hours Most of the day, with some exceptions
Several times a day Once a day
A few times a week More seldom
Don't know

===== SIDA 80 =====

Usage
USERS W. CP
Q: How much [do you/does the user] use [your/his/her] 
communication tool? Make an estimate for a regular day/week.
Q: In what situations do/don't you/the user use your 
communication tool? 
Base: Users w. CP (n=191)
44%
50%
37%
9%
26%
6%
25%
2%
23%
15%
3%
70%
48%
27% 50%
38%
40%
26%
49%
4%
40%
25%
8%
12%
6%
3%
5%
40%
26%
37%
21%
59%
14%
51%
43%
2%
3%
19%
8% 13% 8%
31%
5%
35%
24%
9%
46%
16%
At home In school/at
work
At daily
activities
At walks At medical
visits
At physical
activities
At activities
outside of
the home
At the
swimming
pool
Hanging out
with friends
outside of
home
During
transport
At the
beach
At speech
therapy
Usage in different situations
All the time Sometimes Never Not relevant
22%
28%34%
4% 8%
2% 2%
Usage during a regular day
Practically all waking hours Most of the day, with some exceptions
Several times a day Once a day
A few times a week More seldom
Don't know

===== SIDA 81 =====

Usage
AUTUSTIC USERS
Q: How much [do you/does the user] use [your/his/her] 
communication tool? Make an estimate for a regular day/week.
Q: In what situations do/don't you/the user use your 
communication tool? 
Base: Autistic users (n=348)
36%
53%
32%
10%
22%
8%
25%
4%
14% 20%
3%
72%
58% 28%
52%
37%
42%
34%
55%
13%
36%
47%
14%
17%
5%
6%
8%
40%
29%
31%
15%
52%
19%
25%
41%
2%
1%
13% 8% 13% 7%
27%
5%
30% 31%
8%
42%
9%
At home In school/at
work
At daily
activities
At walks At medical
visits
At physical
activities
At activities
outside of
the home
At the
swimming
pool
Hanging out
with friends
outside of
home
During
transport
At the
beach
At speech
therapy
Usage in different situations
All the time Sometimes Never Not relevant
11%
32%
44%
2%
7% 4% 1%
Usage during a regular day
Practically all waking hours Most of the day, with some exceptions
Several times a day Once a day
A few times a week More seldom
Don't know

===== SIDA 82 =====

Usage
USERS W. ALS
Q: How much [do you/does the user] use [your/his/her] 
communication tool? Make an estimate for a regular day/week.
Q: In what situations do/don't you/the user use your 
communication tool? 
Base: Users w. ALS (n=128)
73%
13%
39%
6%
45%
6%
24%
2%
28%
18%
1%
27%
23%
4%
20%
23%
32%
6%
28%
2%
29%
27%
5%
19%
3%
9%
16%
31%
17%
19%
20%
20%
14% 41%
23%
9%
2%
74%
25%
41%
6%
70%
28%
75%
29%
15%
71%
45%
At home In school/at
work
At daily
activities
At walks At medical
visits
At physical
activities
At activities
outside of
the home
At the
swimming
pool
Hanging out
with friends
outside of
home
During
transport
At the
beach
At speech
therapy
Usage in different situations
All the time Sometimes Never Not relevant
39%
29%
17%
3% 8%
3% 1%
Usage during a regular day
Practically all waking hours Most of the day, with some exceptions
Several times a day Once a day
A few times a week More seldom
Don't know

===== SIDA 83 =====

Benefits of high-
tech AAC to users
(1)
Q: What are the greatest benefits with the communication tool for 
[you/the user]?
Base: Total (n=841), Users with CP (n=191), Autistic users (n=348), Users
with ALS (n=128)
62%
15%
63%
75%
68%
50%
74%
70%
52%
73%
35%
62%
54%
43%
45%
58%
53%
67%
74%
72%
57%
56%
49%
61%
64%
58%
62%
62%
75%
77%
47%
50%
52%
53%
54%
54%
58%
63%
69%
72%
Can participate in social contexts, not just
observe
Develops and enhances language skills
It provides a structured and predictable way of
communication
Express health needs and issues and impact
one's health plan
Can express more than the basic needs
Can learn new things and develop new skills
Can communicate with people outside the
immediate circle
Reduces anxiety and frustration
Encouraged to communicate
Can express desires and preferences
TOTAL CP Autism ALS

===== SIDA 84 =====

Benefits of high-
tech AAC to users
(2)
Q: What are the greatest benefits with the communication tool for 
[you/the user]?
Base: Total (n=841), Users with CP (n=191), Autistic users (n=348), Users
with ALS (n=128)
13%
46%
48%
50%
10%
84%
59%
74%
41%
66%
1%
7%
15%
18%
17%
39%
17%
28%
26%
34%
39%
2%
5%
19%
30%
35%
38%
32%
34%
44%
52%
52%
1%
8%
21%
25%
28%
32%
33%
33%
38%
39%
46%
Don't know
Other
Can control the environment (e.g. turn on the
TV)
Can have private time/me-time
Others address directly, not spoken over or
addressed only to caregivers
Can attend school/work
Can communicate with others digitally
Increased security (e.g. can call for help)
Independent access to entertainment
Can express the entire personality, be their
own person
Can communicate independently of others'
interpretation
TOTAL CP Autism ALS

===== SIDA 85 =====

Disadvantages of
high-tech AAC to 
users (1)
Q: What are the greatest challenges/disadvantages with the 
communication tool for [pipe: hid_U20_pipe]?
Base: Total (n=841), Users with CP (n=191), Autistic users (n=348), Users
with ALS (n=128)
55%
55%
48%
41%
30%
29%
28%
27%
27%
65%
59%
46%
52%
37%
29%
34%
27%
24%
49%
52%
40%
34%
26%
20%
27%
22%
29%
58%
51%
71%
43%
40%
61%
28%
45%
17%
Cannot be used everywhere (e.g., noisy
environments, in the sun, in the shower or
swimming pool)
Dependent on others to ensure it is used
(charging, updating, bringing it along, etc.)
Others do not always have the patience to wait
for what one wants to say
Difficult to take outside the home (bulky,
difficult to position/mount, etc.)
Lack of back-up solution if the system is down,
malfunctions or breaks
Time-consuming to use (writing sentences,
etc.)
Limited battery time
Hard to express tonality and emotions in a
nuanced way
Requires high motivation to learn how to use it
TOTAL CP Autism ALS

===== SIDA 86 =====

Disadvantages of
high-tech AAC to 
users (2)
Q: What are the greatest challenges/disadvantages with the 
communication tool for [pipe: hid_U20_pipe]?
Base: Total (n=841), Users with CP (n=191), Autistic users (n=348), Users
with ALS (n=128)
26%
23%
20%
19%
18%
17%
14%
14%
3%
29%
22%
25%
35%
23%
13%
19%
12%
5%
30%
24%
14%
6%
19%
16%
11%
7%
3%
13%
20%
27%
36%
7%
23%
16%
31%
1%
Lacks support from others in learning the tool
(e.g., caregivers, school)
Time-consuming to learn how to use it
Exhausting to use (physically and mentally
demanding)
Blocks the field of vision when outdoors
(cannot see people/environment)
Others in the network find it difficult to learn
and use the tool
Other, namely:
Sensitive equipment, for example easily
impacted by being bumped into
Lacks functions or system integrations that
other computers/tablets/mobile phones have
Don't know
TOTAL CP Autism ALS

===== SIDA 87 =====

Work rate 
caregivers
Q: To what extent have you worked in the last 12 
months?
Q: Imagine what it would be like if [the user] did 
not have access to a high-tech communication 
tool (i.e., only communicated through 
blinking/picture boards/letter boards, etc.). To 
what extent do you think you would have worked 
then?
Base: Total (n=676), Users w. CP (n=172), Autistic 
users (n=324), Users w. ALS (n=40)
29% 28% 27% 24% 27% 28% 33% 28%
11% 9% 13%
9% 10% 9%
8%
10%
11% 14% 13%
15% 12% 13% 5% 10%
17%
24% 17% 25%
16%
23%
10%
33%
15%
20%
17%
24%
17%
22%
15%
13%
18%
6%
14%
2%
18%
7%
30%
8%
Total
- No HT
ACC
Total
- With HT
ACC
CP
- No HT
ACC
CP
 - With HT
ACC
Autism
- No HT
ACC
Autism
- With HT
ACC
ALS
- No HT
ACC
ALS
- With HT
ACC
Did not work during the past 12 months Less than 15 hours
15-34 hours 35-44 hours
45 hours or more Don't know/Not sure

===== SIDA 88 =====

Benefits of high-
tech AAC to 
caregivers
Q: What are the greatest benefits with the communication tool for you?
Base: Total (n=542), Users w. CP (n=151), Autistic users (n=239), Users w. 
ALS (n=34)
6%
15%
21%
35%
35%
56%
59%
32%
53%
53%
44%
62%
77%
5%
9%
15%
17%
25%
18%
20%
26%
41%
49%
46%
70%
71%
5%
8%
15%
19%
21%
31%
30%
36%
56%
54%
60%
66%
68%
4%
11%
15%
16%
23%
23%
24%
30%
47%
48%
49%
67%
68%
Don't know
Other
I have more time and energy for others around
me
I have a greater opportunity to also focus on
my own needs
I feel less stressed about our life situation
I feel secure leaving user with others more
often
User becomes less dependent on me as "their
extended arm"
Creates a better balance within the family,
everyone can have a say
User becomes less dependent on me as
interpreter
I feel less worried about what user wants and
needs
Can get to know/continue to know user on a
deeper level
Can understand and meet user's needs
Less guessing in communication, fewer
misunderstandings
All users Users w. CP Users w. autism Users w. ALS

===== SIDA 89 =====

Disadvantages of
high-tech AAC to 
caregivers
Q: What are the greatest challenges/disadvantages with the 
communication tool for you?
Base: Total (n=542), Users w. CP (n=151), Autistic users (n=239), Users w. 
ALS (n=34)
15%
21%
9%
6%
12%
6%
6%
15%
32%
21%
27%
62%
15%
9%
20%
8%
17%
13%
12%
21%
21%
22%
24%
24%
30%
43%
9%
21%
8%
11%
16%
19%
27%
29%
35%
29%
31%
47%
51%
9%
19%
8%
13%
14%
14%
23%
26%
26%
26%
28%
39%
45%
Don't know
Other
Certain situations are complicated because
user can express protests and dissatisfaction
I am afraid of doing something wrong or
damaging the tool
I find it difficult to fully understand how it
works
We already have other established ways to
communicate that are faster
Time-consuming to keep the tool updated
Lack in engagement from people in the
surrounding network in using and seeing the…
Requires technical competence to install, use,
and keep updated
Lacks support from others in learning the tool
Time-consuming to learn how to use it
Takes a lot of time to communicate through it,
requires patience
Need to teach others in the network to use the
tool
All users Users w. CP Users w. autism Users w. ALS

===== SIDA 90 =====

About the health-
economic model
• The model is created and calculated by Boston College.
• The model looks at users of high-tech AAC and their caregivers.
• The savings are calculated as an average over a 5-year period.
• For calculating the savings, the following device costs have been used: 
• Autism: 6,800 USD
• ALS: 12 000 USD
• CP: 7,800 USD
• When looking at ability to work, the model considers users and 
caregivers within working age, so over the age of 18 years.
• For both income and ability to work, the values are taken from what the 
users and caregivers have reported in the survey. 
• Worth noting is that for CP there was a very low value reported for working as 
well as a very low income. 
• When calculating health care visits, the numbers capture the median 
number of days users visit the different care types. Additionally, it 
captures the median number of visits for each insurance status within 
the diagnosis groups. This was done as the median can capture a more 
"usual" experience and is less impacted by outliers (individuals reporting 
high number of days of care).