1. What is the effectiveness of the, online self-paced communication partner training program and subsequent online coaching, on parents’ ability to implement the targeted communication partner intervention during shared storybook reading activity?

2. What is the level of parental satisfaction regarding an online, self-paced training program?

Study setting – Ayati National Center for Children with Disabilities

Study population – Parents of children who receive services from the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) clinic at the Ayati Center

Intervention Steps: A. Completion of the online, self-paced training program • The link to the website, “Vivesa: Let’s read storybooks” (Home | My Site (hirunijayathilake1.wixsite.com)) will be provided to the participants to access the training program. • The participants will be expected to watch seven short videos of the training program regarding the Read, Ask, Answer, Prompt (RAAP) strategy and to answer the short quizzes given at the end of five videos (all the videos except the introduction and conclusion videos). • A time period of two weeks will be provided to the participants to complete the online, self-paced training program.

B. Completion of two online coaching sessions • Within a week of completing the video-based training intervention, the participants will be expected to engage in two one-to-one coaching sessions. • The coaching sessions will be held synchronously through Zoom or WhatsApp as preferred by each participant. • The coaching sessions will be conducted by the primary investigator. • The duration of a coaching session will be 30 minutes. • During the coaching sessions, the participants will be given an opportunity to clarify their doubts regarding the content discussed in the video-based training program and feedback on their performance at the pre-test will be given to each participant. • The coaching sessions will be held at a time convenient to both the participants and the researcher.

CCN – Complex Communication Needs AAC – Augmentative and Alternative Communication RAAP – Read, Ask, Answer, Prompt Strategy

Inclusion Criteria for Parents: 1. Being a parent or caregiver of a child aged three to seven years with complex communication needs using Avaz/or able to use Avaz Augmentative and Alternative Communication application to communicate 2. Sinhala being the primary language 3. Having a minimum education level of GCE (Ordinary Level) or an appropriate literacy level to understand the content of the communication partner training program 4. Having no known speech, language, or hearing impairment 5. Availability of technology including stable internet facilities and an electronic device to access the online training program. (The tablet borrowed by the AAC lending library will be only used to access Avaz communication app. The participants are expected to have another device to access the video-based training program and the online coaching sessions since they are expected to use the Avaz app with their children during the coaching sessions.) 6. Consenting to participate in an online, self-paced training program

Inclusion criteria for children - 1. Age between 3 to 7 years 2. Sinhala being the first language 3. Hearing and vision being within functional limits or corrected to be within functional limits 4. Demonstrating a significant communication impairment as determined as being on level V or less on the Communication Matrix (Rowland, 2012). 5. Ability to verbally express 50 words or less 6. Being able to use an aided AAC system with a minimum of 08 graphic symbols per page 7. Having access to a tablet and a high-tech communication app borrowed from the AAC lending library at Ayati Center 8. Having adequate motor skills to be able to point with a finger 9. Having signed consent from parents or guardians to get the participation of the child

Exclusion criteria for children:- 1. Being a parent or a caregiver of a child aged three to seven years with CCN using any other AAC system except Avaz/not able to use Avaz AAC application