Effects of Environmental Sounds on the Guessability of Animated Graphic Symbols

Abstract

Graphic symbols are a necessity for pre-literate children who use aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems (including non-electronic communication boards and speech generating devices), as well as for mobile technologies using AAC applications. Recently, developers of the Autism Language Program (ALP) Animated Graphics Set have added environmental sounds to animated symbols representing verbs in an attempt to enhance their iconicity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of environmental sounds (added to animated graphic symbols representing verbs) in terms of naming. Participants included 46 children with typical development between the ages of 3;0 to 3;11 (years;months). The participants were randomly allocated to a condition of symbols with environmental sounds or a condition without environmental sounds. Results indicated that environmental sounds significantly enhanced the naming accuracy of animated symbols for verbs. Implications in terms of symbol selection, symbol refinement, and future symbol development will be discussed.

Keywords::

• Animation
• Augmentative and alternative communication
• Environmental sounds
• Graphic symbols
• Naming

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge study participants and their families, and the following programs: Jan Tiger (Wayland Goddard School); Regina Nazzaro (Russell J. Call Center); Martha Raymond (Swampscott Integrated Preschool); Virginia Auffrey (Ocean Breeze Nursery School); Chris Arena, Phyllis Regan (The Carousel School); Catherine McGuiggin (The Children's Workshop); Josephine Carpino, Sheila Fremault, (Plowshares Childcare Program); and Patrice Thornberg (The Preschool Experience). The primary author also wishes to acknowledge the support of James Sorce, Suzanne Flynn, Emily Laubscher, and Jennifer Abramson.

Notes

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

Notes

1. The iPad™ is produced by Apple, Inc., Cupertino, CA.

2. Mineo et al. (2008) included four conditions: static line drawings with disequilibrium cues, static line drawings with movement cues, animated line drawings, and black and white video. While not all conditions are relevant to this study, they are reported for accuracy and completeness.

3. Powerpoint is a slide show presentation software program produced by Microsoft, Inc.

4. Hollywood Leading Edge™ is produced by the Hollywood Edge Company of Hollywood, CA.

5. Sound FX The General™ is a product of Sound Ideas of Richmond Hill, Ontario, CA.

6. The Olympus Digital Voice Recorder VN-8100PC™ is produced by the Olympus Imaging Corporation.

7. The Olympus Electret Condenser Microphone ME51S ™is produced by the Olympus Imaging Corporation.

8. MatLab™ is a product of MathWorks, Natick, MA.

9. Apogee One™ is a product of the Apogee Company, Santa Monica, CA.

10. Bose 2™ is a product of the Bose Corporation, Framingham, MA.

11. MacBook™ is a product of Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA.

12. A Table with environmental sound recognition values for all sounds is available upon request by contacting the second author.