(function(doc, html, url) {
var widget = doc.createElement("div");
widget.innerHTML = html;
var script = doc.currentScript; // e = a.currentScript;
if (!script) {
var scripts = doc.scripts;
for (var i = 0; i < scripts.length; ++i) {
script = scripts[i];
if (script.src && script.src.indexOf(url) != -1) break;
}
}
script.parentElement.replaceChild(widget, script);
}(document, '
Teaching Peers to use PECS to Communicate With Preschoolers with Autism
What is it about?
Peers without disabilities were taught to Stay-Play-Talk, including how to 'Talk' using the Picture Exchange Communication System in typical preschool activities. Following peer training, four children with autism (ages 3;0 to 5;1 years) and five peers without disabilities (ages 3;4 to 4;11) showed increased communication during center-based activities, and greater communication and engagement were noted for two children in snack. The results filled a gap in the literature by providing measures of peer communication, detailed peer training steps, and intervention fidelity (average of 90%).
Why is it important?
Evidence-based early social communication interventions are needed for young children with autism who are nonverbal or minimally verbal and learning to use augmentative and alternative communication (e.g., PECS). Outcomes provide preliminary evidence on the benefits of combining peer-mediation and AAC instruction to increase child and peer communication for preschoolers, and expand on current AAC intervention literature by reporting on multiple child and peer communication outcomes in routine preschool play activities.