Date of Graduation

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy

Advisor/Mentor

Holyfield, Christine E.

Committee Member

Lorah, Elizabeth R.

Second Committee Member

Caldwell, Nicolette

Keywords

Augmentative and alternative communication; Multiple-baseline across participants; Social routines; Speech-language pathology

Abstract

The present study examined the effectiveness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) on preschool-aged beginning communicators’ ability to participate linguistically during song social routines. The AAC used during the intervention phase were visual scene displays (VSDs). VSDs are color-realistic photos, often depicting real people, that are context-rich for the user. VSDs are less demanding and offer the user a way to communicate their thoughts, feelings, or emotions in a more contextualized way. The present study used a multiple-baseline across participants approach. The primary dependent measure was the linguistic participation of each participant using the VSD. The results indicated that each participant increased their linguistic participation when the VSD was present during intervention. This increase remained during the maintenance and generalization phases. These results are significant and add to the literature that AAC, more specifically VSDs, can be used to increase linguistic participation in individuals with limited communication skills during social interactions. Future research should include older participants who are beginning communicators, and in more naturalistic environments, such as the classroom or home.

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