24324
Identifying Factors That Predict, Moderate and Mediate Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Outcomes for Preschool Children with Autism
Objectives: N/A
Methods: A systematic search was completed of peer-reviewed research articles presenting studies in which AAC intervention outcomes, and factors associated with these, were reported for children with autism and/or developmental disability. The following data were extracted: (a) participants, (b) AAC intervention/s, (c) communication outcomes, (d) baseline child characteristics, and (f) social environmental factors.
Results: The search yielded 965 titles and abstracts, of which seven articles relating to 7 studies met criteria for inclusion. Child characteristics associated with communication outcomes were pre-intervention cognition, autism severity, communication competence, verbal imitation, vocabulary comprehension, object use, joint attention, and language use.
Conclusions: The findings point to the need for further research to better understand the nature of the association between these factors and outcomes, as well as the potential for these factors to assist in matching children with interventions most likely to meet their individual needs.