Feasibility study of short-term, intensive augmentative and alternative communication treatment with Mandarin Chinese speaking children with autism

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to illustrate the potential of applying augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention through a short-term (2 week), intensive protocol in order to increase the communication behaviors in Chinese-speaking children with autism. In addition, possible cultural factors that may affect the outcomes of AAC intervention were identified. Method: Our project investigated the feasibility of a 2-week AAC intervention using a 32-location touch screen AAC system designed to support Mandarin Chinese (MC) with nine children with autism spectrum disorder. Mixed model trajectory analyses (MMTA) was used to evaluate changes of the targeted communication behaviors over the course of intervention. A quality assurance survey was completed by eight parents and three speech language pathologists (SLPs) implementing the program at the collaborating hospital clinic in Shanghai, China as a social validation measure. Results: The results of this collaborative project suggest a significant increase in intentional AAC usage of the pre-stored MC vocabulary during typical child-centered activities. An increase in intentional speech was observed also along with a decrease in vocalizations and gestures over the two weeks of intervention. Both primary caregivers and SLPs of the nine children reported positive attitudes and favorable agreement of the AAC intervention with the MC AAC system. Conclusion: Use of MMTA showed that a short-term, intensive AAC intervention protocol incorporating the use of a high performance MC AAC system resulted in gains in communication competence. The protocol also showed the potential of improving natural speech using an AAC system with children with autism. The results across primary caregivers and the SLPs support the importance and resource feasibility of this Chinese AAC protocol. Family values and preferences influencing clinical decisions regarding intervention and methodological considerations are discussed.