Effectiveness of assistive technology in enhancing language skills for children with autism

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the effects of assistive technology on improving communication skills of children with autism. Methods: Twelve children with autism (mean age=8 years) randomly assigned to either experimental groups or a control group (n=4 per group). The study confirmed validity and stability for the language skills scale for the children with autism. The scale was administered to them as pre-, post-, and follow-up tests. Results: The results indicated that there were statistically significant differences (α ≥ 0.05) between the average grade level of children with autism in the two experimental groups. The children in the two experimental groups made greater gains in language scores from pre- to post-test than those in the control group. Conclusions: Based on the results, it can be recommended that assistive technology is effective for enhancing language skills among children with autism.

Keywords:

• autism
• assistive technology
• language master
• CompuThera program
• communication skills
• children
• language skills scale
• language score