Integration of Augmentative and Assistive Technology for Boosting Linguistic and Communicative Competence of Bi/Multilingual Autistic Children in Nigeria and South Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The use of AAT (Augmentative and Assistive Technology) in teaching and learning towards enhancing the linguistic and communicative acts of children with autism cannot be underestimated in both formal and informal education when systematically done. The aim of this study was to explore teachers’ perspectives on integration of augmentative and assistive technology to boost linguistic and communicative competency of autistic children in the course of teaching them L1 and/or L2 and other concepts at school. Qualitative research design was adopted, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews from (n=10) educators comprising (n=6) language educators and (n=4) general subject educators, and responses were subjected to content analysis based on the generated themes. The findings revealed that despite educators’ level of education and teaching experiences, the majority of them were unaware of the importance of certain augmentative and assistive technology, as well as how to integrate this technology into the teaching language and other concepts to children with autism, which in turn may enhance language learning and social communication. One of the recommendations is that there should be continued deployment of augmentative and assistive technology in boosting language and communication competence of learners with autism in Nigeria and South Africa.
KEY WORDS: Augmentative and Assistive Technology; Linguistic and Communicative Acts; Language Teaching and Learning; Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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About the Authors: Olumuyiwa A. Kehinde and Berrington Ntombela are Lecturers at the Department of English, University of Zululand, South Africa. Caroll Hermann is Lecturer at the Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa. Corresponding Authors: oakenny247@gmail.com

Suggested Citation: Kehinde, Olumuyiwa A., Berrington Ntombela & Caroll Hermann. (2026). “Integration of Augmentative and Assistive Technology for Boosting Linguistic and Communicative Competence of Bi/Multilingual Autistic Children in Nigeria and South Africa” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies, Volume 19(1), August, pp.37-52. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Suci Foundation and ASPENSI with ISSN 1979-7877 (print) and ISSN 2621-587X (online).

Article Timeline: Accepted (June 20, 2026); Revised (July 27, 2026); and Published (August 31, 2026).