Use of a Braille Exchange Communication System to Improve Articulation and Acquire Mands With a Legally Blind and Developmentally Disabled Female
By Finkel, Amy S.; Weber, Kimberly P.; Derby, K. Mark; Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 321-336Publication Date: December 2004
Study examined the effectiveness of a Braille Exchange Communication System (BECS) on a woman who was blind and had been diagnosed with developmental disabilities in order to determine the system’s effects on word articulation and the acquisition of mands, or questions. Forty individual laminated BECS word cards were utilized in the study. The word cards contained both the English word, which was placed at the top of each card, and the Braille word, which was located directly underneath the English word. The cards roughly measured 2 inches by 2 inches. A three-phase training regimen was employed to immerse the participant in the system, as phase one measured word articulation; phase two measured the acquisition of vocal mands; and phase three measured the exchange for communication component. Results for the first two phases indicated an increase in vocal responses due to verbal prompts, while the BECS improved communication exchanges through the use of physical prompts in phase three. Implications for further research are discussed.
Published by: Springer US, part of Springer Science & Business Media (Website:http://www.springer.com)
