Table 2.

Barriers of AAC use identified by carers, educators and clinicians.

Themes	Codes – Barriers
Stakeholder Knowledge	1. Insufficient access to specialised training (AAC, profound Autism) 2. Lack of awareness or access to disability services. 3. Societal AAC knowledge or awareness 4. Difficulties in accessing knowledge and technology [parent-carers only].
Stakeholder Attitudes and Stigma	1. Reluctance in AAC uptake as early intervention 2. Device is withheld for safekeeping 3. Experienced stigma versus perceived stigma [parent-carers and clinicians].
Resources	1. Limited time 2. Limited financial resources. 3. Time and funds for upskilling and to buy spare devices [educators and clinicians]
AAC UserEngagement	1. Acute factors 2. Ingrained factors 3. Late AAC introductory age. 4. User characteristics and willingness not a barrier [educators and clinicians].
Device Fit	1. Poor fit to users due to features 2. Poor fit to context and communication partners. 3. Poor fit in school due to lack of inter-stakeholder communication [educators only].

Differences between stakeholder groups are denoted in italics. Differences that arose from or pertained to a specific stakeholder group is noted in square brackets.