Delays in communication are commonly experienced by young children who are not meeting developmental milestones. Early naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions are efficacious, and parents can successfully embed these communication strategies into playtime routines, including when coaching is delivered via telepractice. Video feedback is a strength-based coaching method that has been successfully applied to increase positive parenting behaviors (e.g., descriptive praise, responsivity). However, limited research exists on the use of video feedback as a coaching tool for parents of children with developmental delays for communication interventions. We evaluated the effects of a telepractice-based parent training followed by joint reflections and video feedback coaching on parent strategy use and child communication targets, using a concurrent multiple-baseline across three parent-child dyads design. Parent perceptions of the feasibility and appropriateness of the intervention were positive. We discuss implications and provide suggestions for future research and practice.
Inclusive preschool classrooms have become increasingly common in recent decades, affording opportunities for children with and without disabilities opportunities to interact and develop positive relationships. Children with disabilities may be unintentionally excluded from these interactions due to communication differences. This paper discusses one assistive technology tool, called visual scene displays (VSDs), for supporting communication and interaction between children. Specifically, the paper aims to: (a) describe VSDs; (b) discuss why VSDs are particularly well-suited for supporting social communication between young children; (c) describe how VSDs are created and introduced to children; and (d) provide examples of how VSDs may be implemented during two common preschool activities: object play and shared storybook reading. Finally, resources for creating VSDs are offered.
Many adults with Down syndrome (DS) experience difficulty with speech production, and intelligibility challenges and communication breakdowns are common. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention can provide important supports for persons with these complex communication needs but must be customized to address the goals, strengths, and needs of the individual. This article provides a description of a personalized AAC intervention for a young adult with DS whose speech was frequently unintelligible. The AAC intervention made use of a video visual scene display (VSD) approach and was investigated in 2 separate studies in 2 key community settings: An inclusive post-secondary education program (a single-case reversal ABAB design), and a community shopping activity (a nonexperimental AB case study design). The participant demonstrated sharp increases in successful communication and participation in both settings following the introduction of the video VSD, and both the participant and the key stakeholders viewed the intervention positively. The results provide preliminary evidence that personalized AAC intervention, including the use of a video VSD approach, can provide important supports for communication and participation in community settings for adults with DS and complex communication needs.
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