ERIC Number: EJ1481208
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Sep
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3432
Available Date: 2024-06-07
The Effect of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions and Aided AAC on the Language Development of Children on the Autism Spectrum with Minimal Speech: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v55 n9 p3078-3099 2025
Both naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions (NDBIs) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) have been shown to support the language development of children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and minimal speech. However, little research has addressed the impact of incorporating AAC systems within NDBIs. This systematic review was conducted to assess the relative impact of NDBI procedures "with" and "without" AAC on the language development of children on the autism spectrum with minimal speech. Relevant studies were located through systematic database searching, targeted review of relevant journals, and ancestral search of references from identified and associated papers. Relevant study characteristics were coded for all included studies, as well as determining certainty of evidence and calculating effect sizes for language variables. All procedures followed the systematic review guidelines set by the Cochrane Collaboration. A total of 29 relevant studies were included within this review, covering both single-case and group design research. Three studies were identified that directly compared NDBI and AAC interventions. NDBIs had a strong impact on language across study types (i.e., with and without AAC), though both aggregate and comparative effect sizes were notably larger when AAC was included within NDBI procedures, as compared to NDBIs without AAC. Results suggest that combining AAC with NDBI procedures may lead to better language outcomes than NDBIs alone for children on the autism spectrum with minimal speech.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Speech Impairments, Behavior Modification, Intervention, Children, Language Acquisition
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link-springer-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Department of Education (ED); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) (DHHS/ACL)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: H325D170024; 90REGE0014
Department of Education Funded: Yes
Author Affiliations: 1Auburn University, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Auburn, USA; 2The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University Park, USA; 3Regis College, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Weston, USA

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