Social communication is one of the key components of successful interaction. People with autism can have significant challenges with social communication, resulting in some of the highest rates of depression and anxiety. In fact, young adults with autism have suicide rates that are 28 times higher than the general population. Thus, supporting…

Assistive Technology (AT) has become an important tool used by special needs children for improving their quality of life by empowering their abilities, therefore improving their personal independence. The purpose of this Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study was to closely examine the experiences and meaning-making of parents, of…

Understanding dimensions that influence reinforcement is important for applied behavior analysts. Preference, and reinforcer effectiveness, may change depending upon several dimensions of reinforcement. Two influential dimensions that may influence preference and reinforcer efficacy are response-reinforcer arrangements and stimulus type. Many…

The disability of autism and the use of assistive technology is a new and emerging issue for current and future adapted physical educators. One of the fastest-growing populations in schools and society today consists of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To adequately determine if adapted physical education teachers are knowledgeable…

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience higher rates of unemployment and underemployment than any other disability category. Employment may play an important role in the development of self-worth for people with ASD. Some people with ASD require workplace accommodations. Technology-based accommodations may be one solution for helping…

There is a lack of empirical research surrounding intervention approaches for college students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who often struggle with the executive functioning skills imperative to post-secondary success. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional relation between use of wearable technology for self-monitoring…

Purpose. This quantitative study examined parent perceptions regarding augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions for their children with autism to determine if, according to parent perceptions, a relationship existed between AAC and functional communication. Those faced with cognitive and developmental delays like autism face…

Previous research on the use of voice output communication aids (VOCAs) has found a number of positive effects on the behavior of both the VOCA user and their communicative partners. Among these outcomes, studies have found that incorporating speech output into language learning tasks may result in faster and more efficient learning for adults…

This applied dissertation was designed to provide online multimedia training materials for parents of children, ages 2-11, with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), who use or need Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Many children with ASD have communication difficulties, and the best path to communication competence is through some form…

The purpose of The REMLE Project was to develop a best practices model for using the iPad as an assistive technology device with families of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Implementation of a double-blind, randomized control trial during a six-week intervention utilizing the iPad was measured for effectiveness in empowerment, social…