title: Effects of a Least-to-Most Prompting Procedure on Multisymbol Message Production in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a least-to-most (LTM) prompting procedure (Ault & Griffen, 2013; MacDuff, Krantz, & McClannahan, 2001; Neitzel & Wolery, 2009) for increasing use of multisymbol messages in school-age children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) during a storybook reading activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the study, we used a single-subject, multiple-probe research design across participants (Kazdin, 1982) with 6 children (ages 8-12) with ASD and who used AAC systems for communication. There were 4 phases in this investigation: (a) baseline, (b) intervention, (c) generalization, and (d) maintenance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants exhibited a positive increase in multisymbol message production almost immediately upon introduction of the LTM prompting procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the investigation contribute important information on the efficacy of the LTM prompting procedure for teaching use of multisymbol messages to school-age children with ASD who use AAC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Erinn H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Finke
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Morgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benedict
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goga
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Tanika
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Peart
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waters
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011932:Reading; D017010:Reminder Systems; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D013561:Symbolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome