On 31 July the Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) hosted its 26th Annual Research Seminar which included exciting and ground-breaking research presentations. The Neville Cohen Memorial lecture was presented by Prof Rajinder Koul from Texas Tech University, USA, and he received the Neville Cohen award for his outstanding contribution in the field of AAC and severe disability. There were another two international researchers who attended the event, namely Dr Dana Donohue from Georgia State University, USA, and Dr Rubini Pasupathy from Texas Tech University, USA.

The Seminar began with the Neville Cohen Memorial lecture entitled ‘Experimental and non‐experimental research in behavioural sciences: Implications for practice’, presented by Prof Raj Koul.

The following research presentations were delivered:

• ‘Where does language come from? Exploring our early origins’ by Prof Juan Bornman
• ‘An investigation of graduate Speech Pathology students’ clinical self‐efficacy beliefs’ by Dr Rubini Pasupathy
• ‘An examination of compassion and self‐compassion in different social classes’ by Dr Dana Donohue
• ‘Shared storybook reading interactions between Sotho‐speaking preschoolers with complex communication needs and their primary caregivers’ by Miss Refilwe Morwane
• ‘The effect of non‐powered, self‐initiated mobility on engagement of young children with severe motor impairment’ by Dr Kirsty Bastable
• ‘Families raising a child with autism spectrum disorder: Determining the relationship between family routines and family quality of life’ by Dr Liezl Schlebusch
• ‘Use of consumer wireless devices by South Africans with severe communication disability’ by Mrs Enid Moolman

If you are interested in finding out more about any of the above presentations, please contact us at [email protected], or check our Downloads section to see if the presentation you are interested in is available.