Date

Spring 2017

Document Type

Master's Thesis (Open Access)

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Department

Teacher Education

Abstract

Students with mild to moderate disabilities often have communication challenges. These students may benefit from augmented and alternative communication (AAC) systems to improve social and communication skills as well as social interactions. The aim of this study was to measure the effectiveness of GoTalk NOW, an AAC iPad application, in a special day class setting. A single-case AB design was used. Participants with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, limited speech and language abilities, and similar scores on standardized tests were selected for this study. The four participants, one girl and three boys, ages four to five, attended a self-contained special education preschool program for mild to moderate disabilities located in central California. Results indicated that there is a functional relationship between implementation of an AAC system and an increase in communicative attempts. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the use of AAC systems, such as the GoTalk NOW application, would give the participants independent skills to communicate in a classroom setting for students with developmental disabilities and speech and language disabilities.

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