Purpose:

to discuss the implementation and use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, Children and Youth Version (ICF-CY) among children and adolescents, within the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) field.

Methods:

an integrative literature review. PubMed, Web of Science and VHL databases were searched for papers published between 2006 and 2017 that reported on the use of ICF and ICF-CY within the AAC context. Eighteen papers were reviewed and sorted into: Category i) papers which reported on the use of the ICF or ICF-CY with people who rely on AAC; and Category ii) theoretical papers or papers that used the ICF and ICF-CY to organize the results.

Results:

papers used the frameworks with different purposes, including the characterization of the children and their environment, goal setting and measurement of the results of therapeutic intervention. The papers drew on all elements, however, Activities and Participation were the components most used. Parents or caregivers were most commonly consulted in classifying the children’s and young people’s profiles of functioning, followed by the Educators and speech and language pathologists.

Conclusion:

classifications have shown advantages when used in the AAC field. Therefore, it is necessary to provide training in order for professionals to implement them in services.