Mandak et al. (2018) investigate the effects of a new software feature, dynamic text and speech output, on the acquisition of sight words by three pre-literate preschoolers with ASD.
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have difficulty with communication – approximately 30% of children with ASD may not use speech as their primary mode of communication. For these individuals, AAC can support communication for social participation, academic learning, and language development. Research has shown that children with ASD can learn to use AAC systems and strategies, however there is still much to learn about how to to best support children with ASD in learning communication skills.
Research at Penn State is investigating how to design and support AAC systems that will help children with ASD
• learn language and communication skills
• develop literacy skills
• participate in general education classrooms
We are also conducting research in order to better understand the perspectives of parents and teachers, and to identify strategies to support communication and collaboration among AAC team members.
Daily practices of AAC modeling by SLPs who work with individuals with ASD (Clarke & Williams, 2018)
At the 2018 ASHA Conference, Clarke & Williams (2018) presented their findings on the daily practices of SLPs when providing AAC instruction to individuals with ASD.
Using video VSDs during vocational activities for an adolescent with ASD (Babb et al., 2018)
Babb et al. (2018) investigate the impact of video VSD technology on participation of an adolescent with ASD during vocational activities.
Family Leisure as a Context to Support Communication for Children With ASD: Case Study
At the 2017 ASHA Convention, O’Neill et al presented research of the effects of family leisure on an individual with ASD’s communication skills.
Visual Scene Displays with Dynamic Text: Effects on Word Reading for Preschoolers with ASD
At the 2017 ASHA Convention, Kelsey Mandak presented research on the use of VSDs with dynamic texts to promote the transition from the use of graphic AAC symbols to orthographic text for individuals with ASD.
