Using Video Modeling in Teaching Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Expressive Language to Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

The purpose of the study was to examine whether video modeling (VM) is an effective method for teaching augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) skills to children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Three children with ASD participated in the study. The PlayVimo iOS application was used to create VM instructional materials. The VM demonstrated how to request preferred activities using Proloquo2Go™. An iPad ® was used to present the VM. A multiple-probe design across participants was used to investigate the effects of VM. A seven-step task analysis was developed to measure the participants’ acquisition of the skill. Results of the study demonstrated that VM is overall effective in teaching the operational use of AAC and expressive communication/requesting using Proloquo2Go™. During the baseline phase, none of the participants were able to complete the steps for requesting their preferred activities. However, their performance gradually improved, and they were able to complete all the steps during the intervention phase. The acquired skill was retained during a 1-week maintenance phase.