Graduate Program
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2010
Thesis Director
Gail Richards
Thesis Committee Member
Trina Becker
Thesis Committee Member
Beth Bergstrom
Abstract
There is limited research in the area of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and autism spectrum disorder with childhood apraxia of speech. The current research project was designed to evaluate the amount of elicited imitation produced when using a person-directed stimulus mode versus an AAC-directed stimulus mode. The dependent variable was elicited imitations. The independent variables were the AAC-directed condition and the person-directed condition.
The subjects were six school-aged children with the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). The subjects were pulled out of their regular 45 minute individual speech therapy and randomly presented with either the AAC-directed or person-directed condition for five minutes. The amount of elicited imitations were tallied and reported as means and standard deviations within the results.
Results of the study revealed a clinically significant difference in the amount of elicited imitations produced in the AAC-directed and person-directed conditions. The person-directed condition elicited more imitations from each of the subjects. Though minimal elicited imitations were produced during the AAC-directed condition, more joint attention and less disruptive behavior were seen in this condition.
This study provides a foundation on which to further examine the person-directed and AAC-directed modes of imitation and stimulation for children with ASD and CAS. This study showed that AAC devices were effective for input, but must be paired with a person-directed model to elicit verbal imitation. The implications of this study could be clinically useful in assisting professionals with development of speech goals and intervention strategies for children with co-morbid disorders of ASD with CAS.
Recommended Citation
Probst, Jeanna Rachelle, "The Effect Of Person Versus Aac Directed Apraxia Therapy On Elicited Imitation For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder" (2010). Masters Theses. 99.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/99
