Supporting the production of graphic symbol combinations by children with limited speech : a comparison of two AAC systems

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy with which the use of a speech generating device (Apple iPadTM with GoTalk NowTM application) versus a communication board promoted the production of two-symbols combinations (agentaction and attribute-entity combinations) by children limited speech within a shared story reading context. Four children between the ages of 6;8 (years; months) and 11;4 with severe motor speech disorders and a variety of developmental disabilities participated in the study. An adapted alternating treatment design was used. All four participants showed increased production of two-symbol combinations in both intervention conditions. The Wilcoxon ranked pairs test did not show differences between the conditions for any participant. The results suggest that symbol combination skills can effectively be taught using either AAC system. A preference assessment indicated that all participants preferred to use the speech generating device during shared story reading.