The effects of AAC video visual scene display technology on the communicative turns of preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Over 40% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience difficulty in using speech to meet their daily communication needs. Although augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can be of benefit, the AAC intervention must support beginning communicators in the early social interactions that provide the foundation for more sophisticated communication skills. An AAC video visual scene display approach uses an AAC app (provided on a tablet computer), including videos based on the interests of the child and infused with AAC supports, to provide opportunities for social interaction and communication between the child and the communication partner. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of video visual scene display technology on the communicative turns taken by three preschoolers with ASD and complex communication needs during a high-interest, shared activity (i.e., watching videos). All three participants demonstrated a large increase in the number of communicative turns taken with their partner (Tau-U of 1.00) following the introduction of the video VSD app. The results provide evidence that a video VSD approach may be a promising intervention to increase participation in communication opportunities for young children with ASD.