The Use of Voice Output AAC in Early Intervention for Children with Down Syndrome.

2014

Kellie Ellerbusch
[email protected]
402-559-4892

The purpose of this study was to determine if speech-language early intervention using a voice output AAC device is more beneficial for expressive language outcomes than traditional early intervention for children with Down syndrome. Participants included 3 children, age 13-14 months at the start of the study. Families received the DynaVox V, a voice output AAC device, and individual speech-language services at MMI for 30-45 minutes a week. The V was used both at home and during these sessions. One session per month was videotaped and analyzed using researcher-developed measures of expressive language (i.e., gestures, words in any modality, conversational turns). Children will participate until 30 months of age, but preliminary results are reported after the first 3 months of treatment. This research is part of a larger study, which will include up to 50 participants, and a control group who will receive neither the V nor MMI speech-language services.

AAC device, expresive language, down syndrome, DynaVox

Conference presentations and posters presented

Professionals, Students

Electronic (disc, CD, 508 compliant web posting)

[email protected]

N/A