Normalisation Process Theory's four domains as an analytic lens for how AAC practices become routine in classrooms¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) is the deductive framework this protocol uses to analyse how AAC practices have or have not become routine in classrooms. The protocol states: "The four domains of Normalisation Process Theory – coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, and reflexive monitoring - will be used deductively to understand how AAC practices have or have not become routine practice in the classroom." Each domain captures a distinct mechanism: how an intervention is understood by its users, how committed people are to it, what people must do to enact it, and how they appraise its impact. The protocol applies NPT because it is deemed useful for research involving people with long-term conditions and for understanding implementation of complex interventions.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Qualitative or mixed-methods studies from which qualitative data on stakeholder experiences of AAC use in education settings can be extracted
• Deductive coding in NVivo alongside inductive content analysis to identify and define codes within the included literature

Constraints¶

• The protocol's peer reviewers note NPT does not directly function as a determinant framework nor explicitly identify implementation strategies, and that collective constructs such as coherence and cognitive participation may need stakeholder-specific analyses across teachers, parents, healthcare professionals and AAC users

Target Learners¶

• School children aged 3–18 years who use AAC
• Educators and special needs assistants supporting AAC use
• Speech and language therapists supporting AAC in schools

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Communication and participation for children with complex communication needs
• Embedding AAC as routine classroom practice to support language development and interaction

Claims¶

Related Theories¶

Examples¶

• Registered qualitative evidence synthesis protocol on AAC use in school (PROSPERO CRD420251229480)
• Combine inductive content analysis with deductive NPT-domain coding, supported by reflexive journalling and peer supervision

Key Sources¶

• Byrnes C, Moran G, Clarke MT, Caron J, Smith EM, Galvin R, Gallagher AL. (2026). Experiences of Augmentative and Alternative Communication use in School: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol. HRB Open Research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13550906/