A Comparison of PECS and iPad to Teach Requesting to Pre-schoolers with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

ABSTRACT

Few studies have compared the efficacy of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and iPads used as speech generating devices (SGDs), and none have targeted preschoolers. This study compares the relative efficacy of PECS and an iPad/SGD with three preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder and limited functional speech who lived in Malta. The study utilized an adapted alternating treatment design embedded in a multiple baseline design, with requesting of reinforcers as the dependent variable. Visual analysis of the results indicated that all participants required more prompted trials and sessions for the iPad/SGD condition. All participants learned a three step navigational sequence on the iPad. Participant preference probes were inconclusive and were not linked to speed of acquisition of requesting skills. Results suggest that both PECS and an iPad could be appropriate for teaching requesting skills to beginning communicators.

KEYWORDS:

• iPad
• speech-generating device
• picture exchange communication system
• augmentative and alternative communication
• communication intervention
• multi-step requesting
• autism spectrum disorder

Acknowledgements

This study was submitted in partial fulfilment of the award of MSc Language and Communication Impairment in Children at The University of Sheffield to the first author. The study was funded by a STEPS scholarship awarded to the first author, which is part-financed by the European Union – European Social Fund (ESF) under Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life. We also thank Sharon Borg and Alexia Zammit for helping with data collection.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Notes

1 PECS is a registered trademark of Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc, Newark, USA: www.pecs-usa.com.

2 iPad is a registered trademark of Apple Inc, Cupertino, CA.

3 Picture Communication Symbols are available from Mayer-Johnson, Pittsburgh, PA.

4 BigGrips is a registered trademark of KEM Ventures, Inc, Sacramento, CA, USA: www.biggrips.com.

5 SoundingBoard is a registered trademark of Ablenet, Inc, Roseville, MN, USA: www.ablenetinc.com/Assistive-Technology/Communication/SoundingBoard. SoundingBoard3.0 was used in this study.