Defense Date

6-25-2014

Graduation Date

2014

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS

Department

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

School

Rangos School of Health Sciences

Committee Chair

Diane L. Williams

Committee Member

Lori J. Marra

Committee Member

Sarah E. Wallace

Keywords

AAC, Aided Language Stimulation, Autism, Picture Communication Symbols, Semantic Intervention

Abstract

The use of aided language stimulation in the context of a semantically-based therapeutic approach was studied using a single-subject design with a 7-year-old child with autism spectrum disorder who was minimally verbal. Techniques for increasing word retrieval (e.g., the repeated modeling of a small number of target words/symbols) were used in theme-based sessions in conjunction with modeling the use of picture symbols. Overall, the intervention had a small effect on the child's production of single spoken words, but had a large effect on her production of picture symbol combinations and spoken word + picture symbol combinations. No specific effect for word retrieval strategies occurred. The child produced the highest number of spoken words during a facilitated play condition. The structure of the sequenced procedure and book sharing conditions facilitated her production of semantic combinations. The participant communicated more conceptual knowledge through spoken words + picture symbols than by words alone.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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