title: Promoting Expressive Language in Young Children with or At-Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Preschool Classroom.
abstract: Young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often demonstrate delays in expressive communication, impacting their ability to independently function in typical environments. Individuals with ASD who develop expressive language during early childhood experience better outcomes later in life; therefore, examination of naturalistic language interventions (NLIs) remain an important area of investigation. The current study used a multiple probe design across participants to examine the effects of a classroom-based NLI on various expressive language targets in three preschool-aged children demonstrating characteristics of ASD. Findings suggest the intervention had positive and maintained effects on trial-based use of language targets, as well as concomitant changes in commenting, requesting, and phrase complexity. Implications regarding implementation of NLIs within typical classroom play activities are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Early Childhood and Special Education, University of Kentucky, 229 Taylor Education Building, Lexington, KY, 40508, USA. justin.lane@uky.edu.
authors.forename: Justin D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.affiliation: Department of Early Childhood and Special Education, University of Kentucky, 229 Taylor Education Building, Lexington, KY, 40508, USA.
authors.forename: Collin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shepley
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education, University of Georgia, 552 Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lieberman-Betz
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D007808:Language Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012578:Schools, Nursery
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Expressive language; Intervention; Preschool