American Journal of Health Research

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Developing an Augmentative and Alternative Communication System for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study

Received: 10 May 2017    Accepted: 31 May 2017    Published: 19 October 2017
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Abstract

An area of great interest to speech and language therapists and educators, holding promise to support the individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is that of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Oftentimes, the person with ASD cannot speak at all or struggle with language skills. The use of AAC is becoming widely accepted as beneficial for individuals with ASD. The current study aimed to develop the theoretical framework and the practice trends of AAC with ASD. The ways that the AAC is introduced to children with ASD, the promotion of a successful engagement with the AAC as a communication tool, and the development of a language system that sustains over time, were the attainable goals of the study. Furthermore, a relevant case study was presented. The case study demonstrated a classical presentation of a step by step development of AAC communication system, for a pre-school boy diagnosed with ASD. The ways that the AAC is introduced to children with ASD, the promotion of a successful engagement with the AAC as a communication tool and the development of a language system is not an easy case. However, it becomes widely accepted that AAC is beneficial and supportive for the individual with ASD as part of an intensive treatment approach to address communication needs.

DOI 10.11648/j.ajhr.20170505.18
Published in American Journal of Health Research (Volume 5, Issue 5, September 2017)
Page(s) 162-166
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Practice Trends, Case Study

References
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[4] J. M. Cafiero and A. Meyer, “Your child with autism: When is augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) an appropriate option?”, E-Parent Magazine, 28-30, 2008.
[5] T. Saloviita, M. Leppänen and U. Ojalammi, “Authorship in facilitated communication: An analysis of 11 cases”, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 30(3), 213-225, 2014.
[6] R. W. Schlosser and O. Wendt, “Effects of augmentative and alternative communication intervention on speech production in children with autism: A systematic review”, American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 17, 212-230, 2008.
[7] C. Gevarter, M. F. O’Reilly, L. Rojeski, N. Sammarco, R. Lang, G. E. Lancioni, and J. Sigafoos, “Comparing communication systems for individuals with developmental disabilities: A review of single-case research studies”, Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34, 4415-4432, 2013.
[8] E. R. Lorah, A. Parnell, P. S. Whitby and D. Hantula “A systematic review of tablet computers and portable media players as speech generating devices for individuals with autism spectrum disorder”, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 3792-3804, 2015.
[9] J. B. Ganz and R. L. Simpson, “Effects on communicative requesting and speech development of the picture exchange communication system in children with characteristics of autism”, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(4), 395-409, 2004.
[10] A. Lerna, D. Esposito, M. Conson, L. Russo, and A. Massagli, “Social-communicative effects of the picture exchange communication system (PECS) in autism spectrum disorder”, International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 47(5), 609-617, 2012.
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[13] C. Gevarter, M. F. O’ Reilly, L. Rojeski, N. Sammarco, R. Lang, G. E. Lancioni and J. Sigafoos “Comparing communication systems for individuals with developmental disabilities: A review of single-case research studies”, Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34, 4415-4432, 2013.
[14] J. A. Weiss and P. B. Riosa, “Thriving in youth with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability”, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 2474-2486, 2015.
[15] K. Gillespie-Smith and S. Fletcher-Watson, “Designing AAC systems for children with autism: Evidence from eye tracking research”, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, doi: 10.3109/07434618.2014.905635, 2014.
[16] M. Helt, E. Kelley, M. Kinsbourne, M., J. Pandey, H. Boorstein, M. Herbert, et al. “Can children with autism recover? If so, how?” Neuropsychology Review, 18(4), 339–366, 2008.
[17] I. M. Hopkins, M. W Gower, T. A., Perez, D. S. Smith, F. R. Amthor, F. C., F. Winsatt, J. Biasini, F. “Avatar assistant: Improving social skills in students with an ASD through a computer-based intervention”. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(11), 1543–1555, 2011.
[18] W. Fisher, C. Piazza, L. Bowman, L. P. Hagopian, J. C. Owens, and I. Slevin, “A comparison of two approaches for identifying reinforces for persons with severe and profound disabilities”, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 25, 491–498, 1992.
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Author Information
  • Department of Health Sciences, Speech and Language Therapy, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus

  • Department of Health Sciences, Speech and Language Therapy, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus

Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Voniati Louiza, Maria Christopoulou. (2017). Developing an Augmentative and Alternative Communication System for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study. American Journal of Health Research, 5(5), 162-166. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20170505.18

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    ACS Style

    Voniati Louiza; Maria Christopoulou. Developing an Augmentative and Alternative Communication System for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study. Am. J. Health Res. 2017, 5(5), 162-166. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20170505.18

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    AMA Style

    Voniati Louiza, Maria Christopoulou. Developing an Augmentative and Alternative Communication System for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study. Am J Health Res. 2017;5(5):162-166. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20170505.18

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajhr.20170505.18,
      author = {Voniati Louiza and Maria Christopoulou},
      title = {Developing an Augmentative and Alternative Communication System for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study},
      journal = {American Journal of Health Research},
      volume = {5},
      number = {5},
      pages = {162-166},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajhr.20170505.18},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20170505.18},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.20170505.18},
      abstract = {An area of great interest to speech and language therapists and educators, holding promise to support the individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is that of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Oftentimes, the person with ASD cannot speak at all or struggle with language skills. The use of AAC is becoming widely accepted as beneficial for individuals with ASD. The current study aimed to develop the theoretical framework and the practice trends of AAC with ASD. The ways that the AAC is introduced to children with ASD, the promotion of a successful engagement with the AAC as a communication tool, and the development of a language system that sustains over time, were the attainable goals of the study. Furthermore, a relevant case study was presented. The case study demonstrated a classical presentation of a step by step development of AAC communication system, for a pre-school boy diagnosed with ASD. The ways that the AAC is introduced to children with ASD, the promotion of a successful engagement with the AAC as a communication tool and the development of a language system is not an easy case. However, it becomes widely accepted that AAC is beneficial and supportive for the individual with ASD as part of an intensive treatment approach to address communication needs.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

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