The Effect of Aided AAC Modeling on the Expression of Multi-Symbol Messages by Preschoolers Who Use AAC
By Binger, Cathy; Light, Janice; Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 30-43Publication Date: March 2007
Study evaluated the impact of using aided AAC modeling to support multi-symbol message production, using a single-subject, multiple-probe design. Five preschoolers, 3 boys and 2 girls aged 3-5 years, participated in the study; 3 children used voice-output communication systems, and 2 used non-electronic communication boards. Aided AAC models were provided by pointing to 2 symbols on the child’s aided AAC system and then providing a grammatically complete spoken model while engaging in play activities such as washing a baby, having a tea party, playing with vehicles, eating fast food, and cleaning the kitchen. Four of the 5 participants learned to consistently produce multi-symbol messages; the fifth did not demonstrate consistent gains. The 4 participants who met criterion all evidenced long-term use of symbol combinations and generalized the use of symbol combinations to novel play routines. Limitations of the study, clinical implications, and directions for future research are discussed.
Published by: International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) (Website:http://www.isaac-online.org)
Link to text: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content?content=10.1080/07434610600807470
