Communication supports in storybook reading for children on the autism spectrum with minimal speech

What is it about?

This study explored the impact of adding interactive communication supports within a digital storybook reading activity, in combination with naturalistic intervention techniques, on the language and communication of young children on the autism spectrum with minimal speech.

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Photo by Nappy on Unsplash

Photo by Nappy on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Many traditional interventions targeting language and communication development for young children on the autism spectrum rely on speech production. Unfortunately, children with minimal speech are thus less able to participate fully in these interventions, and make less progress than children on the autism spectrum with access to speech. We explored the effect of adding embedded communication supports within a naturalistic digital storybook reading activity, and found that participating children on the autism spectrum with minimal speech communicated more frequently and used a greater variety of words with access to these communication supports.