Impact of the design of visual communication supports on social interaction by individuals with Down syndrome

2021 ◽  
pp. 30-46
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Visual Attention ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Visual Communication ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Communication Behavior ◽  
Alternative Communication

Many individuals with developmental disabilities have difficulty using speech as their primary method of communication. These individuals often use visual communication technologies that produce speech when symbols (letters, icons) are typed or selected. When an external aid is used to assist with message preparation, it is called aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The current report illustrates how the design of AAC displays can influence both the efficiency of visual attention to the displays, and also the rate and flexibility of communication produced by three young adults with Down syndrome while using these displays. We designed three versions of AAC displays that prior laboratory research has indicated would influence efficiency of visual attention. These displays were then each used to support communication during a storybook reading interaction between individuals with Down syndrome and a trained communication partner. Visual attention was measured via mobile eye-tracking technologies, and communication behavior was recorded via video camera. Greater efficiency of visual attention and more frequent and flexible communication was observed when the AAC display was optimally designed. The results illustrate the value of eye-tracking technologies for examining communication behavior using AAC.

Gaze Toward Naturalistic Social Scenes by Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Implications for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Designs

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1157-1170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiali Liang ◽  
Krista Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Visual Attention ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Visual Scene ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Social Content ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
The Social ◽  
Tracking Technology

Purpose A striking characteristic of the social communication deficits in individuals with autism is atypical patterns of eye contact during social interactions. We used eye-tracking technology to evaluate how the number of human figures depicted and the presence of sharing activity between the human figures in still photographs influenced visual attention by individuals with autism, typical development, or Down syndrome. We sought to examine visual attention to the contents of visual scene displays, a growing form of augmentative and alternative communication support. Method Eye-tracking technology recorded point-of-gaze while participants viewed 32 photographs in which either 2 or 3 human figures were depicted. Sharing activities between these human figures are either present or absent. The sampling rate was 60 Hz; that is, the technology gathered 60 samples of gaze behavior per second, per participant. Gaze behaviors, including latency to fixate and time spent fixating, were quantified. Results The overall gaze behaviors were quite similar across groups, regardless of the social content depicted. However, individuals with autism were significantly slower than the other groups in latency to first view the human figures, especially when there were 3 people depicted in the photographs (as compared with 2 people). When participants' own viewing pace was considered, individuals with autism resembled those with Down syndrome. Conclusion The current study supports the inclusion of social content with various numbers of human figures and sharing activities between human figures into visual scene displays, regardless of the population served. Study design and reporting practices in eye-tracking literature as it relates to autism and Down syndrome are discussed. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.6066545

scholarly journals Eye Tracking Measures Reveal How Changes in the Design of Displays for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Influence Visual Search in Individuals With Down Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 1649-1658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krista M. Wilkinson ◽  
Marissa Madel
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Visual Search ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Search Patterns

Purpose This research note reports on how small changes to the organization of a simulated display for augmentative and alternative communication influence the visual search patterns of individuals with Down syndrome or autism, as measured through eye tracking technologies. Prior research had demonstrated that clustering symbols by their internal color facilitates search and reduces attention to distracters, in children with typical development. This research systematically replicated the procedures with individuals with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder. Method Participants engaged in a visual search task on a monitor with embedded automated eye tracking technology. Patterns of gaze during search were measured via this technology. Results Participants were significantly faster to fixate on the target and to select it with the mouse when the like-colored symbols were clustered together. In addition, participants were significantly less likely to fixate on distracters in the clustered condition. No group differences were found. Conclusions Small changes to the organization of the simulated augmentative and alternative communication display resulted in substantial differences in eye gaze and speed to find a target. Of greatest clinical import is the finding that clustering symbols reduced attention to distracters, given that individuals with disabilities may be prone to distraction.

Autism, AAC, and Proloquo2Go

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Sennott ◽  
Adam Bowker
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Visual Supports ◽  
Digital Device ◽  
Ipod Touch ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Communication Needs

People with ASD often need to access AAC in situations where a tabletop digital device is not practical. Recent advancements have made more powerful, portable, and affordable communication technologies available to these individuals. Proloquo2Go is a new portable augmentative and alternative communication system that runs on an iPhone or iPod touch and can be used to meet the diverse needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who are ambulatory and have difficulty using speech to meet their full daily communication needs. This article examines Proloquo2Go in light of the best practices in AAC for individuals with ASD such as symbols, visual supports, voice output, and inclusion.

scholarly journals Teaching Preschoolers With Down Syndrome Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication Modeling During Small Group Dialogic Reading

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily D. Quinn ◽  
Ann P. Kaiser ◽  
Jennifer R. Ledford
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Small Group ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Functional Relation ◽  
Dialogic Reading ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Symbolic Communication ◽  
Response Generalization ◽  
Multiple Probe

Purpose This study evaluated the effect of aided augmentative and alternative communication modeling (AAC-MOD) on the communication skills of children with Down syndrome (DS) during small group dialogic reading. Method Four children with DS between 3;1 and 5;3 (years;months; M = 4;5) and 5 typically developing peers between 3;5 and 5;9 ( M = 4;3) participated. Effects were examined using a multiple probe across behaviors design with 4 children with DS. To simulate typical dialogic reading routines in inclusive classrooms, a strategy called Read, Ask, Answer, Prompt ( Binger, Kent-Walsh, Ewing, & Taylor, 2010 ) was applied during the baseline and intervention sessions. Results A functional relation was demonstrated between (a) AAC-MOD and percentage of correctly identified symbols for 3 participants, (b) AAC-MOD and rate of symbolic communication for 2 participants, and (c) AAC-MOD and number of different words for 2 participants. Increases in number of multiple word combinations occurred for 2 participants. All 4 children maintained their percentage of correctly identified symbols. Increases in rate of symbolic communication did not generalize to thematic play contexts, a distal measure of response generalization. Conclusion AAC-MOD is an effective strategy for teaching target vocabulary and increasing rate of symbolic communication in young children with DS. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.10093538

scholarly journals Highlights Of Principles Used For Augmentative And Alternative Communication Assessment In Patients With Central Nervous System Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
Hasmik Mkrtchyan
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Language Assessment ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Assessment ◽  
Intervention Process ◽  
Complex Procedure ◽  
Neurological Conditions ◽  
Ongoing Support

Different technologies are used, including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), which can improve communication competences and life participation in patients with neurological conditions and communication deficits. The assessment of patients for the AAC need is a complex procedure encompassing not only speech and language assessment but also evaluation of cognitive, motor, visual, auditory, perceptive, and a variety of other general factors that influence the process of AAC method selection. Different standardized linguistic tools are used in the assessment process. Reassessments are an indisputable part of the AAC intervention process. Training of patients, caregivers, and other primary communication partners is imperative to ensure the successful use of communication technologies. The patients must take part in assessor controlled device trials to reveal the most appropriate AAC technology. Whenever needed, the AAC training ensures the permanent use of the technologies, providing ongoing support to the families once the skilled intervention is discontinued.

Maternal Responsiveness to AAC

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 115-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara F. Medeiros ◽  
Cynthia J. Cress
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Maternal Responsiveness ◽  
Communication Behavior ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Early Communication ◽  
Aided Aac ◽  
Language Measures

Abstract How a mother responds to her young child's early communication behavior has been found to contribute to the children's scores on cognitive and language measures. This effect has been found in both children with and without developmental disabilities. Aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a communication strategy used with young children with developmental disabilities. Currently, there have been no studies addressing how a mother's play with her children may change when an aided AAC device is added. In this study 25 dyads participated in familiar and unfamiliar to play with and without a BIGmack present. Mothers' responsive and directive behaviors were coded and compared across both types of play. When the two conditions were compared, mothers showed more overall responsiveness to their children's communication when the BIGmack was present. Mothers did not increase their directive behaviors significantly between the two conditions.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Technologies

2010 ◽  
pp. 1070-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gondy Leroy ◽  
Leo Gianluca De
Keyword(s):  
Communication System ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Picture Exchange Communication System ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Technical Solutions

Communication is a dynamic process that creates and conveys a mutual understanding between two or more people. Since this process is complex and not easily taught, there exist many communication disorders ranging from a physical limitation, such as ALS, to a cognitive language disorder, such as autism. Augmentative and alternative communication systems (AACs) help people with communication disorders by providing them substituted means for communicating. These systems range from non-technical solutions, such as a paper-based PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), to elaborate technical solutions, such as a plasma picture communication table. Due to the increased attention to AACs, the Worldwide Health Organization (WHO) provides a framework to evaluate effectiveness. Using this framework as a basis, the authors identified barriers and support factors for AAC effectiveness and subsequently best practices for AAC designs. They conclude with a case study of adapting a paper-based picture-based communication system to mobile devices using open-source software development for use by children with severe autism.

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