The Acquisition of Intraverbal Responding using a Speech Generating Device in School Aged Children with Autism

Abstract

Powerful, portable, and readably available handheld computing technology has led to an increase in research investigating the use of such technology as a speech-generating device (SGD). The results of such research have been favorable and the use of such devices as a SGD has become common practice. However, despite this increased interest in such devices, little research has gone beyond the acquisition of a mand (i.e., requesting) repertoire. The focus of the current investigation sought to expand the preliminary evidence base for the use of devices such as the iPad® as a SGD, by evaluating its use on the acquisition of intraverbal responding in school aged children with autism, using a multiple baseline across responses design. To investigate this two-school aged children were taught using a 5-s time delay with full-physical prompts to respond to an intraverbal statement regarding personal information, using the iPad® and application Proloqu2Go™ as a SGD. The results of the study were favorable, as both children acquired the ability to respond to three different intraverbal statements. The results offer additional support to the use of the iPad® as a SGD for individuals with autism.