Although the last decade has welcomed evidence that individuals with Rett syndrome (RTT) can communicate using alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), less is known about effective procedures for teaching various component skills required for expressive communication of individuals with complex communication needs. The purpose of the…

This study examined the effects of an intervention package using high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with Naturalistic Instruction (NI), time delay, and prompting during social routines for preschoolers on the autism spectrum. The AAC was a communication application on a tablet programmed with color photo representations of…

Children who lack functional spoken language are candidates for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Aided AAC and naturalistic interventions offer the potential to extend the communication functions demonstrated by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are nonspeaking. Related intervention research, however, has been…

Vestibular input (VI) activities are linked with skill learning, engagement, and communication. This study investigated the influence of VI activities on the responses of non-verbal children with autism spectrum disorders (CWASD) when prompted to request a reinforcer using picture exchange communication. A single subject alternating treatment…

This study evaluated the use of an interrupted chain procedure to establish spontaneous mands (i.e., requests) in three preschool aged children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. All three participants attended a university based preschool center, which used the methodology of Applied Behavior Analysis. Additionally, all three…

Approximately 30% of individuals with autism have complex communication needs (CCN). These individuals are unable to use vocal speech as their primary form of language and typically require support across several areas of communication such as comprehension, pragmatics, phonology, semantics, and syntax (Ganz et al., 2022; Reichle, 2019).…

Purpose: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) use prompting hierarchies to facilitate learning and monitor treatment progress. When working with people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), SLPs typically use physical assistance to prompt motor learning. However, there is currently no standardization regarding the number of…

For individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have limited to no vocal speech abilities, mobile augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology provides opportunities for communication with those around them. Interventionists can incorporate evidence-based practices into AAC instruction to heighten the efficacy of its…

The present study evaluated the effects of online training on educators' knowledge and use of system of least prompts (SLP) to support the communication of individuals with autism who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). A pre/posttest group design with switching replications was utilized. Three dependent variables: (a) knowledge…

This series of three studies identified an experimental research gap in the field of deafblindness. Study 1, a descriptive study, identified types of articles published, and research designs used, in 37 peer-reviewed special education journals. A total of 4,854 articles published from 2012 through 2017 were examined to determine types of articles…

The present study evaluated a systematic instructional package including the system of least prompts (SLP) to teach differentiation and selection of tangible symbols to continue activities for two children with complex support needs and deafblindness (DB). A multiple probe design across three symbols was used to evaluate the intervention package…

Functional communication training (FCT) is an evidence-based practice for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that can be implemented by practitioners in school settings. However, few studies have explored effective and sustainable training approaches to support paraeducators in their implementation of FCT. The purpose of this study…

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the feasibility of a telepractice communication partner intervention for children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and their parents. Method: Five children (aged 3;4-12;9 [years;months]) with severe expressive communication impairments who use AAC and their parents enrolled in a…

Special education teachers are often responsible for training their staff how to support children with autism spectrum disorder in their classrooms. In addition to academic and behavioral interventions, paraeducators also need to be prepared to support students with complex communication needs. This study was designed to investigate the effects of…

Using speech as an effective communication method is a challenge for many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research suggests aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) used with young individuals with complex communication needs (CCN) can result in improved communication quality and frequency. The effectiveness of AAC…