Speech following sign language training in autistic children with minimal verbal language

Abstract

This study was carried out to test the main and interaction effects of training condition and pretreatment-elicited verbal imitation ability when predicting spoken language use during language training of 60 minimally verbal autistic children. Subjects were randomly assigned to Speech Alone, Sign Alone, Simultaneous Presentation of Sign and Speech, and Alternating Presentation of Sign and Speech training conditions. Speech Alone, Simultaneous Presentation, and Alternating Presentation condition facilitated more child-initiated speech during treatment than did the Sign Alone condition. Regardless of training condition, pretreatment verbal imitation ability positively predicted the size of child-initiated spoken vocabulary observed during training. Exploratory analyses indicated that, in addition to verbal imitation, pretreatment age and IQ may also predict spoken language developed during training.

A Review of the Efficacy of the Picture Exchange Communication System Intervention

“…These include the use of manual signs (e.g., Layton 1988;Yoder and Layton 1988), voice output communication devices (VOCAs) (reviewed by Lancioni et al 2001), and various picture-based systems (Keen et al 2001;Sigafoos et al 1996). The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a picturebased system developed by Frost (1993, 1994) to help young children with autism acquire functional communication skills.…”

Searching for evidence in augmentative and alternative communication: Navigating a scattered literature

“…Our thinking proved correct -37 entries were located this way. Upon hand checking these and eliminating duplicates we considered four as possibly relevant (Buday, 1995;Gaines, Leaper, & Monahan, 1988;Kouri, 1988;Tincani, 2004;Yoder & Layton, 1988). PsycINFO affords the additional opportunity to locate unpublished dissertations.…”

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Mirenda and Erickson (2000) explain that the shift away from the use of signing to visual-graphic communication occurred as a result of research findings in three main areas: imitation, iconicity, and intelligibility. In addition to the evidence of a generalized imitation deficit in autism, there were also studies showing that some children with ASD had extremely poor sign imitation skills (Yoder & Layton, 1988) due to difficulties with motor planning, control and execution (Seal & Bonvillian, 1997). With respect to iconicity manual signing was thought to be too an abstract system for individuals on the autism spectrum, having easier to use and understand symbols with more resemblance to their referents.…”