Comparing acquisition of and preference for manual signs, picture exchange, and speech-generating devices in nine children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Objective: To compare how quickly children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) acquired manual signs, picture exchange, and an iPad®/iPod®-based speech-generating device (SGD) and to compare if children showed a preference for one of these options.

Method: Nine children with ASD and limited communication skills received intervention to teach requesting preferred stimuli using manual signs, picture exchange, and a SGD. Intervention was evaluated in a non-concurrent multiple-baseline across participants and alternating treatments design.

Results: Five children learned all three systems to criterion. Four children required fewer sessions to learn the SGD compared to manual signs and picture exchange. Eight children demonstrated a preference for the SGD.

Conclusion: The results support previous studies that demonstrate children with ASD can learn manual signs, picture exchange, and an iPad®/iPod®-based SGD to request preferred stimuli. Most children showed a preference for the SGD. For some children, acquisition may be quicker when learning a preferred option.

• Augmentative and alternative communication
• autism spectrum disorder
• iPad®
• iPod®
• manual sign
• picture-exchange
• preference assessment
• speech-generating device

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the time and commitment of the children and their families who participated in this study.