scholarly journals The Effect of the PECS Alternative Communication System on Vocal Speech Acquisition in Children with Autism

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-39
Author(s):  
O.A. Popova ◽  
N.M. Filina

This article describes the positive effect of teaching the PECS (Picture exchange communication system) alternative communication system on vocal speech acquisition in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Materials from an empirical study of three children with ASD and other mental disorders aged 2—4 years are presented. Measurements were made of the number of communication initiatives in children, in the form of requests using PECS pictures for three months. As a result of teaching communication using the PECS system, two out of three children had vocalization responses, in the form of words and phrasal speech. All three children demonstrated a decrease in the number of challenging behavior episodes as they learned functional communication. It was found out that learning to ask with the help of PECS has a positive effect on the vocalizations in children with autism and other mental disorders. Children trained to communicate using the PECS alternative communication system demonstrate less challenging behavior, acquire functional communication skills, which, in general, improves the quality of life of the child’s family

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem Muharib ◽  
Vivian I. Correa ◽  
Charles L. Wood ◽  
Kathryn L. Haughney

This study investigated the effects of a functional communication training intervention consisting of systematic prompting and natural reinforcement on the challenging behaviors of two children with autism spectrum disorder aged 5 and 6 years old. Children who had a history of challenging behavior, consisting of self-injury and disruption, were taught to request preferred stimuli through the GoTalk Now™ application on an iPad®. Using a reversal design, the findings demonstrated a functional relation between functional communication training with the use of the GoTalk Now application and the decreased levels of challenging behaviors. Specifically, one child demonstrated zero levels of challenging behaviors and one child showed a less substantial decrease of challenging behaviors during intervention phases. Directions for future research and implications for practice are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 586-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn A. Clarke ◽  
Diane L. Williams

Purpose The aim of this research study was to examine common practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with respect to whether or not SLPs consider processing differences in ASD or the effects of input during their instruction. Method Following a qualitative research method, how SLPs instruct and present augmentative and alternative communication systems to individuals with ASD, their rationale for method selection, and their perception of the efficacy of selected interventions were probed. Semistructured interviews were conducted as part of an in-depth case report with content analysis. Results Based on completed interviews, 4 primary themes were identified: (a) instructional method , (b) input provided , (c) decision-making process , and (d) perceived efficacy of treatment . Additionally, one secondary theme, training and education received , was identified . Conclusions Clinicians reported making decisions based on the needs of the child; however, they also reported making decisions based on the diagnostic category that characterized the child (i.e., ASD). The use of modeling when teaching augmentative and alternative communication to individuals with ASD emerged as a theme, but variations in the method of modeling were noted. SLPs did not report regularly considering processing differences in ASD, nor did they consider the effects of input during instruction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 584-597
Author(s):  
Christine Holyfield

Purpose Technology features that maximize communicative benefit while minimizing learning demands must be identified and prioritized to amplify the efficiency and effectiveness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention. Picture symbols with paired text are a common representation feature in AAC systems for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are preliterate, yet little research about their comparative benefit exists. Method Four school-age children with ASD and limited speech who were preliterate participated in two single-subject studies. In one study, communication of high imageability words (e.g., nouns) on an AAC app during a book-reading activity was compared across two representation conditions: picture symbols with paired text and text only. In the second study, communication of low imageability words (e.g., verbs) was compared. Both studies had baseline, intervention, generalization, and maintenance phases. Results Prior to intervention, participants communicated across both representation conditions at low rates except two participants who were relatively successful using picture symbol with paired text representations of high imageability words. In response to intervention, all participants demonstrated increases in communication across representation conditions and maintained the increases. Participants demonstrated generalization in the text-only representation condition. Conclusions Children with ASD who were preliterate acquired communication at comparable rates regardless of whether an AAC app utilized picture symbol with paired text or text-only representation. Therefore, while larger scale research is needed, clinicians and technology developers could consider increasing the use of text in AAC representation given the inherent value associated with learning to recognize written words. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13661357


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-28
Author(s):  
Ludmila M. Kuzenkova ◽  
Anna V. Lashkova ◽  
Olga M. Konova ◽  
Tatyana G. Petelguzova

Introduction. Autism is a disorder characterized by social interaction disorders, social-emotional reciprocity, responses to other people’s emotions, social use of speech skills, lack of modulations of behavior under the social situation, and limited interest stereotypes. The comprehensive approach using medical and psychological correction with physical methods of influence provides the best result in treating and rehabilitating children with autism. The original study examined the effects of transcranial micro polarization (TCMP) on the dynamics of autistic disorders. TCMP is a modern treatment method consisting of a directed polarizing impact of a low-power DC on specific brain areas. Materials and methods. There were observed 25 children aged from 2 years five months to 6 years with varying degrees of severity of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). For the study, three groups were identified according to the corresponding clinical diagnoses: Childhood autism, Atypical autism, and Other general developmental disorders. The vast majority of children from the first two groups had an intellectual disability of varying severity. The TCMP method was used to assess the technique’s effectiveness, the CARS diagnostic scale and the ATEK test. Results. At the end of the course, with the use of TCMP in all the analyzed groups, there was a shift towards a milder degree of autistic disorders. The most significant positive effect was recorded in children with mild forms of autism in the group of other general developmental disorders due to the initially higher level of development in this group. Conclusion. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of TCMP in ASD children. According to the results of the study, the positive effect of this method was revealed in the form of reducing the severity of autistic disorders.


Author(s):  
Alice M. Hammel ◽  
Ryan M. Hourigan

Communication is one of the considerable challenges faced by children with autism. Before a child with autism can learn, their must be able to communicate. This chapter includes information on communication traits and characteristics of persons with autism as well as steps to obtain effective communication with students with autism in the music classroom. Other topics include joint attention, reciprocation, echolalia, receptive and expressive language, and augmentative and alternative communication for students with autism in the music classroom.


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