title: An evaluation of speech production in two boys with neurodevelopmental disorders who received communication intervention with a speech-generating device.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children with neurodevelopmental disorders often present with little or no speech. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) aims to promote functional communication using non-speech modes, but it might also influence natural speech production.
  
  
  METHODS
  To investigate this possibility, we provided AAC intervention to two boys with neurodevelopmental disorders and severe communication impairment. Intervention focused on teaching the boys to use a tablet computer-based speech-generating device (SGD) to request preferred stimuli. During SGD intervention, both boys began to utter relevant single words. In an effort to induce more speech, and investigate the relation between SGD availability and natural speech production, the SGD was removed during some requesting opportunities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With intervention, both participants learned to use the SGD to request preferred stimuli. After learning to use the SGD, both participants began to respond more frequently with natural speech when the SGD was removed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that a rehabilitation program involving initial SGD intervention, followed by subsequent withdrawal of the SGD, might increase the frequency of natural speech production in some children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This effect could be an example of response generalization.
authors: School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Roche
authors: School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand. Electronic address: jeff.sigafoos@vuw.ac.nz.
authors: Jeff
authors: J
authors: Sigafoos
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors: Giulio E
authors: GE
authors: Lancioni
authors: Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
authors: Mark F
authors: MF
authors: O'Reilly
authors: Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Ralf W
authors: RW
authors: Schlosser
authors: School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Stevens
authors: School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors: Larah
authors: L
authors: van der Meer
authors: School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors: Donna
authors: D
authors: Achmadi
authors: School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors: Debora
authors: D
authors: Kagohara
authors: School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors: Ruth
authors: R
authors: James
authors: School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors: Amarie
authors: A
authors: Carnett
authors: School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors: Flaviu
authors: F
authors: Hodis
authors: School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors: Vanessa A
authors: VA
authors: Green
authors: School of Health Sciences, College of Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors: Dean
authors: D
authors: Sutherland
authors: Clinic for Autism Research, Evaluation, and Support, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA.
authors: Russell
authors: R
authors: Lang
authors: Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, USA.
authors: Mandy
authors: M
authors: Rispoli
authors: Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
authors: Wendy
authors: W
authors: Machalicek
authors: Institute of Physiology, Research Unit iDN-Interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Center for Physiological Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Peter B
authors: PB
authors: Marschik
mesh_terms: D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Augmentative and alternative communication; Natural speech production; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Severe communication impairment; Speech-generating device