The use of graphic symbols in infancy: how early can we start?

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate if infants at three developmental ages could respond using graphic symbols during a choice‐making task. An alternating treatment design was used to illustrate infants’ response when presented with two types of graphic symbols. A total of nine items were presented to each infant and were randomly selected from suggestions provided by caregivers. No significant difference between the two graphic symbols was found. Results indicated consistency of preferred graphic symbol selection across infants in each of the three age groups. Differences among patterns of communicative behaviours across age groups were observed.

Keywords:

• aided visual symbols
• augmentative and alternative communication
• communicative behaviours
• early intervention
• graphic symbols

Acknowledgements

The authors will like to thank the staff members, families and infants who contributed to this investigation. In addition, we would like to thank Carolina Da Fonte, Jenny Hudson, Ryan Oetting, and the members of the Purdue University AAC Research Seminar for their constructive feedback throughout the process of this investigation.