Differences in maternal responsive and directive behavior during free play with and without aided AAC

Abstract

Maternal directive and responsive behaviors were compared for 25 mothers and children with complex communication needs using two types of toys (familiar and unfamiliar toys). Each type of toy play was conducted with and without a single message speech-generating communication device (SGD) programmed to say “more.” Rate percentages of coded intervals for maternal directive and responsive behaviors were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVAs. Results indicated that mothers used significantly more responsive behaviors when playing with their own familiar toys than with unfamiliar toys, but no differences in directiveness between types of play. Mothers showed no differences in responsivity or directiveness when the SGD was added to play interactions, indicating that the SGD did not introduce task features that detracted from the mothers’ existing levels of responsivity with their children. Clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• Children
• speech-generating device
• intentional communication
• gestures
• interaction
• directiveness
• responsivity

Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by the Barkley Memorial Trust doctoral fellowship awards. The authors thank the families and service coordinators of Cape Cod Child Development-Early Intervention as well as the Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska educational districts for referral to participating families. This article was derived from the first author’s doctoral dissertation at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and we appreciate the support of the other committee members, Drs David Beukelman, Christine Marvin, Ellin Siegel, and Jordan Soliz. We appreciate the support of those organizations and the families who graciously allowed the researchers into their homes to complete this project. Portions of these data were presented at the 2010 American Speech-Language-Hearing Conference.

Disclosure statement

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

Notes

1 The BIGmack voice output switch is a product of the Ablenet Company of Roseville, MN.