Just-in-Time Technology and VSDs: Adolescents with Severe Disabilities — Presentation

Drager, K., Light, J., Currall, J., Muttiah, N., Dang, V., Kreis, D., Nilam-Hall, A., Parratt, D., Schuessler, K., Wiscount, D., (July 24, 2014). Just-in-Time Technology and Visual Scene Displays: Adolescents with Severe Disabilities. Presentation at ISAAC in Lisbon, Portugal. [Presentation Slides].
Aim: The current investigation modified a successful evidence-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention for young children with chronologically older individuals who were beginning communicators, including the use of “just-in-time” technology (the ability to quickly and easily add content to an AAC system “on the fly” during daily interactions). The current study investigated the impact of aided AAC intervention using just-in-time technology on the frequency of turns and the number of different semantic concepts produced by adolescents with severe developmental disabilities during shared activities.
Method: The investigation used a single subject multiple probe across participants design with nine adolescents with severe developmental disabilities who were beginning communicators (e.g., autism, cerebral palsy). The participants were engaged in interactive activities using an aided AAC system (Windows tablet with PlayTalk software) incorporating just-in-time technology and visual scene displays (VSDs).
Results: All participants demonstrated significant increases in turn taking as a result of the just-in-time intervention. All of the participants demonstrated significant increases in the number of concepts they were able to express once provided access to these words and ideas.
Conclusion:   The results of this study contribute to the existing literature that suggests higher expectations for adolescents with severe developmental disabilities with appropriately designed interventions and opportunities for increased communication.   It also supports the use of just-in-time technology that allows partners to dynamically respond to ongoing activities and interests, and to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves, while reducing programming demands on clinicians and families.