'But I'd rather have raisins!': Exploring a hybridized approach to multimodal interaction in the case of a minimally verbal child with autism. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doak, Lauran
• Is Part Of: Qualitative research. Volume 19:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 54
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: AAC -- autism -- conversation analysis -- ethnography -- multimodal (inter)action analysis -- multimodality; Qualitative research -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 300.72
• DOI: 10.1177/1468794117752115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-7941

Abstract

This article explores a 'hybridized approach' to multimodal research drawing on video data of classroom communication involving children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The focus is a short video of 'Luke', aged six, who at snack time declines to request an available food item (carrot, tomato or apple) with the available Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS); instead deploying embodied, idiosyncratic communication including gaze, vocalisation and object manipulation to request raisins. The article explores the potential of a hybridized approach for understanding Luke's communicative competencies which draws upon the theoretical perspectives of Ethnography of Communication, Conversation Analysis and Multimodal (Inter)Action Analysis; and uses two forms of multimodal transcription (the multimodal matrix and annotated video stills). It is argued that each tradition brings distinct affordances to our understanding of this short interaction and that together they can permit inferences which would not have been possible working with one approach alone.