Maintenance and generalization of skills acquired through picture exchange communication system (PECS) training: a long-term follow-up.

Publisher: Informa Healthcare Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101304394 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1751-8431 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17518423 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Dev Neurorehabil Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: London : Informa Healthcare, 2007-

Nonverbal Communication* ; Social Skills*; Autism Spectrum Disorder/*rehabilitation ; Early Intervention, Educational/*methods ; Psychotherapy/*methods; Child ; Generalization, Psychological ; Humans ; Male

Purpose: To conduct a follow-up assessment of the maintenance of communication skills of a 7-year-old child with autism spectrum disorder, 3 years 7 months post PECS training; and investigate the effects of environmental adaptations on the child's PECS and vocal communications. Methods: An alternating-treatments design enabled comparison of the effects of two treatment conditions (an environmental adaptation to increase need and opportunities for communication, versus a continuation of baseline procedures) on the child's PECS and vocal communications in the child's home. Results: Baseline data demonstrated decreased levels of PECS and vocal communication at follow-up, compared to post PECS training 3 years 7 months prior. The environmental adaptation had no observable effect on the participant's use of PECS, but vocal manding increased in this condition. Conclusion: These results suggest ongoing need for motivating environments with ample opportunities to practice post PECS training. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Keywords: Generalization; maintenance; manding; parent training; picture exchange communication system (PECS); procedural integrity

Date Created: 20180802 Date Completed: 20190903 Latest Revision: 20191210

20250114

10.1080/17518423.2018.1503619

30067415