title: Speech-generating devices versus manual signing for children with developmental disabilities.
abstract: We compared speed of acquisition and preference for using a speech-generating device (SGD) versus manual signing (MS) as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) options. Four children with developmental disabilities (DD), aged 5-10 years, were taught to request preferred objects using an iPod(®)-based SGD and MS. Intervention was introduced in a multiple-probe across participants design and SGD and MS conditions were compared in an alternating treatments design. A systematic choice-making paradigm was implemented to determine if the children showed a preference for using SGD or MS. All participants showed increased use of SGD when intervention was introduced, but only three learned under the MS condition. Three participants exhibited a preference for the SGD while the remaining participant demonstrated a preference for using MS. Results support previous studies showing that individuals with DD often show a preference for different AAC options and extend previous data by suggesting that acquisition and maintenance was better for the preferred option.
authors.affiliation: School of Educational Psychology and Pedagogy, Victoria University of Wellington, Karori, Wellington, New Zealand. larah.vandermeer@vuw.ac.nz
authors.forename: Larah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.forename: Debora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kagohara
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Achmadi
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.forename: Giulio E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lancioni
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sigafoos
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004519:Education, Special; D006801:Humans; D055539:MP3-Player; D008297:Male; D009223:Myotonic Dystrophy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D057240:Patient Preference; D012813:Sign Language