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Increasing Functional Communication in Non-Speaking Preschool Children: Comparison of PECS and VOCA

By Bock, Stacey Jones; Stoner, Julia B.; Beck, Ann R.; Hanley, Laurie; Prochnow, Jessica; Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 264-278
Publication Date: September 2005

Study conducted to compare the effectiveness of two communication strategies: (1) the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and (2) voice output communication aids (VOCA). The PECS consists of six training phases that begin with training a child to exchange a picture for some form of positive reinforcement. The child progressively moves toward discriminating between pictures and to use a sentence strip that begins with “I want” in order to respond to direct questions. When using a VOCA, children can touch symbol in order for words or phrases to be read out loud. The VOCA utilized in the study was the GoTalk, which is a digital augmentative and alternative communication device. Laminated color pictures with the label of the picture printed above the word were included, as the pictures were produced with Boardmaker Version 5.1.8. A total of six four-year-old boys diagnosed with developmental delay who were nonverbal participated in the study. The researchers evaluated the participants’ performance in school with the devices, and found strong support for the use of both interventions. The devices were found to promote both independence and conversational spontaneity. Implications for future research are discussed.

Assistive Products Discussed: GOTALK 9+
BOARDMAKER (INTERNATIONAL)
PICTURE COMMUNICATION SYMBOLS BOOK I, II, III & PICTURE COMMUNICATION SYMBOLS COMPLETE SET
GOTALK 4 PLUS
GOTALK 20 PLUS
GOTALK POCKET (MODEL GT-P06)
Published by: Council for Exceptional Children   (Website:http://www.cec.sped.org)

Division on Developmental Disabilities (DDD) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)    (Web Site: http://www.dddcec.org )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J49669
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