title: An examination of the effectiveness of video modelling intervention using a speech-generating device in preschool children at risk for autism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether preschool children at risk for autism would learn to request a preferred object using a speech-generating device (SGD) following a video modelling (VM) intervention and generalize requesting behaviours to preferred objects across stimuli and communication partners.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-subject multiple baseline design across participants (n = 3) was used to assess the effects of VM intervention on requesting behaviour. Intervention consisted of having each participant view a VM of two adults demonstrating the requesting of a preferred object using the SGD. Additionally, a least-to-most-prompting technique was employed to facilitate the production of a correct response.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All three participants demonstrated the ability to request preferred objects following the intervention and were able to generalize the newly acquired requesting behaviour across stimuli and people.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study findings indicate that a VM treatment package is effective in facilitating communication in children with little or no functional speech.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Disorders, Eastern New Mexico University , Portales, NM , USA .
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Copple
authors.forename: Rajinder
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koul
authors.forename: Devender
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Banda
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frye
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D013060:Speech
keywords: Autism; communication skills; preschool; speech generating device; video modelling