AMANDA HYNAN FINAL THESIS PDF

esearch process and offer both concrete and abstract insights into internet and online
social media use. The opportunities for people with complex communication needs to
take part in research are slowly increasing but they are still a sadly under-represented
population. This must continue to be addressed.
The thesis has sought to socially co-construct a grounded theory model of internet and
online social media use by young people who use AAC and offer a theoretical level of
analysis accompanied by practical applications. It is hoped this contributes to
developing a deeper understanding of the potential for social inclusion through virtual
communities for young people who use AAC. The heuristic nature of the model is
recognised and this thesis can only ever claim to be a version and not the whole.
Further dissemination of the thesis is in hand. A paper has been submitted for the
special 30 th anniversary edition of the Child Language Teaching and Therapy journal:
‘The relevance of the digital age in understanding and supporting children and young
people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)’. It has been
anonymously reviewed and is being re-submitted with requested revisions at the end
of October 2013 (Appendix O). It is hoped the story thread that has been started, a coconstructed
glimpse into the lived experiences of using the internet and online social
media by young people who use AAC, will be expanded upon and continued by
future research.
238