Comparing acquisition of and preference for manual signs, picture exchange, and speech-generating devices in nine children with autism spectrum disorder. (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Couper, Llyween; van der Meer, Larah; Schäfer, Martina C. M.; McKenzie, Emma; McLay, Laurie; O'Reilly, Mark F.; Lancioni, Giulio E.; Marschik, Peter B.; Sigafoos, Jeff; Sutherland, Dean
• Is Part Of: Developmental neurorehabilitation. Volume 17:Number 2(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 99
• Page End: 109
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: Children with disabilities -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled children -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 615.542
• DOI: 10.3109/17518423.2013.870244
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-8423

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: To compare how quickly children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) acquired manual signs, picture exchange, and an iPad®/iPod®-based speech-generating device (SGD) and to compare if children showed a preference for one of these options.</p> <p> <italic>Method</italic>: Nine children with ASD and limited communication skills received intervention to teach requesting preferred stimuli using manual signs, picture exchange, and a SGD. Intervention was evaluated in a non-concurrent multiple-baseline across participants and alternating treatments design.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Five children learned all three systems to criterion. Four children required fewer sessions to learn the SGD compared to manual signs and picture exchange. Eight children demonstrated a preference for the SGD.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic>: The results support previous studies that demonstrate children with ASD can learn manual signs, picture exchange, and an iPad®/iPod®-based SGD to request preferred stimuli. Most children showed a preference for the SGD. For some children, acquisition may be quicker when learning a preferred option.</p> </abstract>