engleski

Analysis of spontaneous communication in children with autism spectrum disorders

Aim: Spontaneous communication of preschool children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were analyzed using a continuum model with four-level antecedent hierarchy (Carter and Hotchkiss, 2003). Chiang (2008) also used that model to examine communication spontaneity in children and youth with autism. Method: Participants were 33 children with autism spectrum disorders included in regular kindergarten (14 children) and a special preschool setting (19 children). Children were between the ages of 3 and 7 years. Analysis was conducted via naturalistic observations. Each child was videotaped across two days, for 75 minutes per day in their natural preschool setting. Independent observers then coded the communication acts of children using the highest prompt level to determine the level of spontaneity. Results: The results indicated that communicative spontaneity varies along the continuum and across communicative forms, communicative functions, communicative partners, and activities. Conclusions: This analysis will provide implications for improvements to communication programs of preschool children with autism spectrum disorders.

Preschool children ; autism ; spontaneous communication

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