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Article (s)

Volume 5, Issue 2  J Commun Disorder Assist Technol, 2024

 A Phase One Exploratory Study of Distance Coaching of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Implementation Strategies for Speech-Language Pathologists

The introduction and implementation of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in Early Intervention (EI) can be a crucial component in the facilitation of speech and language development in children with AAC needs. There is a need to increase speech-language pathologists’ (SLP) competence, comfort, and efficacy with the use of AAC implementation strategies to increase the likelihood of communication partner training, improve patient outcomes, and decrease AAC device abandonment.

Stefanie M. Blanco, Kate Franklin, Jacqueline J. Hinckley, Kimberly Ho

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Volume 5, Issue 1 J Commun Disorder Assist Technol, 2024

 Evaluation of a Prototype Application for Supporting Visual-Graphic Symbol Acquisition in Preschool Aged Children with Complex Communication Needs

Susan S. Johnston, John M. Jameson, Benjamin A. Coletta, Gregory Bayles, Leddy Burdiss

Young children with complex communication needs can increase their ability to communicate efficiently and effectively through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) but may experience barriers in acquiring a robust symbol vocabulary which includes learning the relationship between different symbols and their referents. An engaging app that utilizes evidence-based instructional strategies may serve as an efficient and effective tool for supporting vocabulary development and visual-graphic symbol knowledge. The purpose of this study was to design and develop an app to support visual-graphic symbol acquisition. Following development, an initial evaluation of the app was conducted with three young children with complex communication needs. This preliminary study utilized a within-subject; multiple-baseline probe design replicated across participants to examine the effectiveness of the app in teaching visual-graphic symbol acquisition for three target words. Results suggest that the app was an effective and socially valid way to increase visual-graphic symbol acquisition.

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Volume 4, Issue 2 J Commun Disorder Assist Technol, 2023

Eye-gaze Profiles of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Relation to Visual Search Skills

Daiquirie L. Crumrine and Trisha L. Self

Previous research involving visual search tasks has suggested that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate superior visual search skills when compared to typically developing (TD) children  More recently, however, researchers have found the visual search skills of children with ASD to be similar to TD children. The purpose of this study was to compare the visual search abilities of children with ASD and TD. Ten children diagnosed with ASD and twenty children with TD, ages 5-7 participated. Participants were matched on nonverbal intelligence and receptive vocabulary skills. The Tobii 1750 eye-tracking system was used to capture eye-tracking measures. Overall, the results revealed that children with ASD and TD demonstrated similar visual search skills and reaction times when locating novel images in a visual scene. Children with ASD demonstrated more errors when locating targets when compared to TD children.

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