A strategy for research on the use of nonvocal systems of communication.

The author sketched a four-step roadmap for nonvocal communication research.

Step 1: survey what clients already use. Step 2: assess their skills. Step 3: teach a new system. Step 4: run experiments to prove it works.

No data were collected; the paper is a 1981 call for action.

The paper itself reports no outcomes.

It simply argues that researchers should follow the four-phase sequence before claiming any AAC method is effective.

Bathelt et al. (2019) updated the 1981 plan. They list modern AAC parts—touch screens, eye gaze, voice output—and stress matching features to each learner.

Ghaziuddin et al. (1996) and Domanska et al. (2022) carried out the final ‘experiment’ step. Both used brief AAC teaching and showed nonvocal clients learned to request items across settings.

O’Brien et al. (2024) added a twist: when people with IDD can pick, they usually choose high-tech over low-tech options. This preference check was missing in 1981, so today you should run a quick mand modality assessment before prescribing.

You now have a ready-made checklist. Survey current tools, assess learner skills, teach the chosen AAC, then test it with data. The 40-year follow-up papers give you ready protocols and show the sequence works. Next time you plan AAC for a nonvocal client, walk through all four steps instead of jumping straight to device selection.