Teaching mands for actions to children with autism spectrum disorder using systematic instruction, behavior chain interruption, and a speech-generating device

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the use of procedures to teach three nonvocal children with autism spectrum disorder to use a speech-generating device to mand for actions.

Method: A multiple probe across participants design was used to evaluate the effectiveness systematic instruction and the use of a behavior chain interruption.

Results: All three participants acquired the target mand. However, generalization to an untrained item only occurred for one participant.

Conclusion: Results suggest that mands for actions expressed with a speech-generating device can be taught to children with autism spectrum disorder using systematic instruction and behavior chain interruption strategies.

Keywords:

• autism spectrum disorder
• behavior chain interruption strategy
• manding behavior
• action mands
• speech-generating device
• systematic instruction

Acknowledgements

The study was based on part of the first author’s PhD thesis. We acknowledge and appreciate all the time and energy contributed by the children, their families and school staff who participated in this study.