Teaching Advanced Operation of an iPod-Based Speech-Generating Device to Two Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

We evaluated a program for teaching two adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to perform more advanced operations on an iPod-based speech-generating device (SGD). The effects of the teaching program were evaluated in a multiprobe multiple baseline across participants design that included two intervention phases. The first intervention focused on teaching the students to navigate between two screen pages and complete a multi-step response sequence to request preferred stimuli. The second intervention aimed to teach the students to turn on and unlock the device prior to navigating to the correct screen pages. Teaching procedures included response prompting, prompt fading, and differential reinforcement. Results showed that both interventions were effective in teaching the respective operations. Learning advanced operation of the iPod-based SGD could be seen as one way to promote greater independence in using such devices for multi-step communication.

[1]  Russell Lang,et al.  Teaching Functional Use of an iPod-Based Speech-Generating Device to Individuals with Developmental Disabilities , 2011 .

[2]  Russell Lang,et al.  Behavioral Intervention Promotes Successful Use of an iPod-Based Communication Device by an Adolescent With Autism , 2010 .

[3]  Comparing explicit to generalized requesting in an augmentative communication mode , 1992 .

[4]  Margaret M. Flores,et al.  A Comparison of Communication Using the Apple iPad and a Picture-based System , 2012, Augmentative and alternative communication.

[5]  J. Matson,et al.  Developmental milestones in toddlers with autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder—not otherwise specified and atypical development , 2010, Developmental neurorehabilitation.

[6]  T. Iacono,et al.  Autism Spectrum Disorders And Aac , 2009 .

[7]  Samuel C. Sennott,et al.  Autism, AAC, and Proloquo2Go , 2009 .

[8]  Pat Mirenda.  Promising Innovations in AAC for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders , 2009 .

[9]  J. Halle,et al.  Time delay: a technique to increase language use and facilitate generalization in retarded children. , 1979, Journal of applied behavior analysis.

[10]  M. O'Reilly,et al.  Teaching picture naming to two adolescents with autism spectrum disorders using systematic instruction and speech-generating devices , 2012 .

[11]  Jeff Sigafoos,et al.  One-To-One Training: Instructional Procedures for Learners With Developmental Disabilities , 2004 .

[12]  Mandy Rispoli,et al.  Communication interventions involving speech-generating devices for children with autism: A review of the literature , 2010, Developmental neurorehabilitation.

[13]  Craig H. Kennedy,et al.  Single-Case Designs for Educational Research , 2004 .