An examination of the effectiveness of video modelling intervention using a speech-generating device in preschool children at risk for autism

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether preschool children at risk for autism would learn to request a preferred object using a speech-generating device (SGD) following a video modelling (VM) intervention and generalize requesting behaviours to preferred objects across stimuli and communication partners. Method: A single-subject multiple baseline design across participants (n = 3) was used to assess the effects of VM intervention on requesting behaviour. Intervention consisted of having each participant view a VM of two adults demonstrating the requesting of a preferred object using the SGD. Additionally, a least-to-most-prompting technique was employed to facilitate the production of a correct response. Results: All three participants demonstrated the ability to request preferred objects following the intervention and were able to generalize the newly acquired requesting behaviour across stimuli and people. Conclusions: Study findings indicate that a VM treatment package is effective in facilitating communication in children with little or no functional speech.

• Autism
• communication skills
• preschool
• speech generating device
• video modelling

Acknowledgements

This article is based on the dissertation submitted by the first author to the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Declaration of interest

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