This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Tincani, M. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Comparing the Picture Exchange Communication System and Sign Language Training for Children With Autism

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

This study compared the effects of Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and sign language training on the acquisition of mands (requests for preferred items) of students With autism. The study also examined the differential effects of each modality on students' acquisition of vocal behavior. Participants Were tWo elementary school students With autism enrolled in a suburban public school. Training sessions involved presentations of preferred items, prompting and prompt fading procedures. Probes Were conducted to evaluate the generalization of learned mands to classroom teachers. For one participant, sign language training produced a higher percentage of independent mands. PECS training produced a higher percentage of independent mands for the other participant. For both participants, sign language training produced a higher percentage of vocalizations during training. Mands learned With the experimenter generalized to classroom teachers. The results of the study suggest that acquisition of picture exchange and sign language may vary as a function of individual student characteristics, specifically, motor imitation skills prior to intervention. HoWever, further research is needed to determine the optimal procedures for teaching both modalities to students With communication difficulties.

References

• Adkins, T., & Axelrod, S. (2001). Topography-versus selection-based responding: Comparisons of mand acquisitions in each modality. The Behavior Analyst Today, 2, 259—266.
• Alpern, G., Boll, T., & Shearer, M. (1988). Developmental profile II. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.
• American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text revision). Washington, DC: Author.
• Binder, C. (1993). Behavioral fluency: A new paradigm. Educational Technology, 33, 8—14.
• Bondy, A., & Frost, L. (1994).The picture exchange communication system. Focus on Autistic Behavior, 9, 1—19.
• Bondy, A., & Frost, L. (2002). The picture exchange communication system. Newark, DE: Pyramid Educational Products.
• Bonvillian, J.D., & Blackburn, D.W. (1991). Manual communication and autism: Factors relating to sign language acquisition. In P. Siple & S. D. Fischer (Eds.), Theoretical issues in sign language research: Vol. 2. Psychology (pp. 255—257). Chicago: University of Chicago.
• Brady, D.O., & Smouse, A.D. (1978). A simultaneous comparison of three methods for language training with an autistic child: An experimental single case analysis. Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 8, 271—279.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Charlop-Christy, M.H., Carpenter, M., Le, L., LeBanc, L.A., & Kellet, K. (2003). Using the picture exchange communication system (PECS) with children with autism: Assessment of PECS acquisition, speech, social-communicative behavior, and problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 35, 213—231.[CrossRef]
• Cooper, J.O., Heron, T.E., & Heward, W.L. (1987). Applied behavior analysis. Columbus, OH: Merrill.
• Fisher, W., Piazza, C.C., Bowman, L.G., Hagopian, J.C., & Slevin, I. (1992). A comparison of two approaches for identifying reinforcers for persons with severe and profound disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 25, 491—498.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Gilliam, J. (1995). Gilliam autism rating scale. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
• Green, G. (2001). Behavior analytic instruction for learners with autism: Advances in stimulus control technology. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 16, 72—85.
• Hodges, P., & Schwelthelm, B. (1984). A comparison of the effectiveness of graphic symbol and manual sign training with profoundly retarded children. Applied Psycholinguistics, 5, 223—253.
• Kazdin, A.E. (1982). Single-case research designs: Methods for clinical applications in applied settings. New York: Oxford.
• Konstantantareas, M.M. (1984). Sign language as a communication prosthesis with language-impaired children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 14, 9—25.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Layton, T.L., & Baker, P.S. (1981). Development of semantic-syntactic relations in an autistic child. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 11, 385—399.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Lovaas, O.I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in children with autism. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 3—9.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• National Research Council. (2001). Educating children with autism. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
• Pace, G.M., Ivancic, M.T., Edwards, G.L., Iwata, B.A., & Page, T.J. (1985). Assessment of stimulus preference and reinforcer value with profoundly retarded individuals. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18, 249—255.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Peeters, T., & Gillberg, C. (1999). Autism: Medical and educational aspects. London: Whurr.
• Schopler, E., Reichler, R.J., & Renner, B.R. (1988). Childhood autism rating scale. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.
• Schreibman, L. (1988). Autism. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
• Schwartz, I.S., & Baer, D.M. (1991). Social validity assessments: Is current practice state of the art? Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24, 189—204.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Schwartz, I.S., Garfinkle, A.N., & Bauer, J. (1998). The picture exchange communication system: Communicative outcomes for young children with disabilities. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 18, 144— 159.
• Seal, B.C., & Bonvillian, J.D. (1997). Sign language and motor functioning in students with autistic disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 27, 437— 466.
• Snell, M.E., & Gast, D.L. (1981). Applying time delay procedure to the instruction of the severely handicapped. Journal of the Association for the Severely Handicapped, 6, 3— 14.
• Sundberg, C.T., & Sundberg, M.L. (1990). Comparing topography-based verbal behavior with stimulus selection-based verbal behavior. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 8, 31—42.
• Sundberg, M.L., & Partington, J.W. (1998). Teaching language to children with autism or other developmental disabilities. Danville, CA: Behavior Analysts.
• Wolery, M., & Gast, D.L. (1984). Effective and efficient procedures for the transfer of stimulus control. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 4, 52—77.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Wraikat, R., Sundberg, C.T., & Michael, J. (1991). Topography-based and selection-based verbal behavior: A further comparison. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 9, 1—18.
• Yoder, P.J., & Layton, T.L. (1988). Speech following sign language training in autistic children with minimal verbal language. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 18, 217—229.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Vol. 19, No. 3, 152-163 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/10883576040190030301


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Tincani, M. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?