Design comprehensive AAC intervention protocols that extend beyond requesting to maintenance, generalization, and naturalistic contexts¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 2 claims (1 for, 1 mixed) · 1 study (1 quant-synthesis), q3 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The article recommends that intervention protocols go beyond isolated settings, persons, and teaching examples, and that researchers systematically examine environmental and naturalistic instructional features affecting newly established communicative behaviors. It also urges research strategies to establish social contact as a viable reinforcer so socially complex functions can be taught. These recommendations follow from the field's concentration on behavior regulation and short-term mastery metrics.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Protocols must address long-term maintenance and generalization, not only sessions to criterion or mastery.

Constraints¶

• The article notes the field is only beginning to implement intervention opportunities in authentic environments.

Target Learners¶

• minimally or nonverbal school-aged learners with ASD and/or ID

Target Learning Goals¶

• generalized, maintained communicative functions including joint attention and social interaction

Claims¶

• AAC intervention research overwhelmingly targets behavior regulation and communication production, neglecting joint attention, social interaction, and comprehension [+W]
• Communicative function taught (behavioral regulation, joint attention, social interaction, or multiple) does not statistically moderate AAC effects [~W]

Related Strategies¶

• Pair AAC introduction with structured parent training, follow-up, and practical guidance for everyday routines
• Deliver neurocognitive training at low frequency within ecologically valid academic contexts rather than as isolated high-frequency sessions
• Develop language intervention programs with longer time frames, transferable strategies, and follow-up assessments
• Prefer naturalistic over randomized controlled designs when studying dialogue-outcome relations
• Devise language interventions using naturalistic teaching for acquisition with progression to contrived approaches for generalization

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Ganz, J. B., Pustejovsky, J. E., Reichle, J., Vannest, K. J., Foster, M., Fuller, M. C., Pierson, L. M., Wattanawongwan, S., Bernal, A. J., Chen, M., Haas, A. N., Skov, R., Smith, S. D., & Yllades, V. (2022). Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention Targets for School-Aged Participants with ASD and ID: a Single-Case Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s40489-022-00326-6