Date

2013

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Department

Teacher Education

Abstract

Research into the use of portable electronic devices with students with autism continues to increase. This multiple baseline study investigated the effectiveness of using a communication application on the iPad for increasing expressive communication for four students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Using a modified Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) procedure, the Proloquo2Go application on the iPad, replaced laminated picture cards traditionally used in the PECS protocol. Students were taught to activate a button on a touch screen in order to utilize the iPad as a speech generating device. The results indicated that all participants’ use of touch response on the iPad increased during the intervention phases. One participant showed an increase in verbal responses during the intervention phases. Maintenance data collected showed increased levels of touch responses were maintained, while verbal responses decreased. Preliminary findings indicate that using technology combined with effective instruction can help improve expressive communication for children with autism.

Comments

Thesis (M.A.) Teacher Education Department

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