Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

, Volume 45, Issue 12, pp 3832–3835 | Cite as

Comment on Technology-Based Intervention Research for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Letter to the Editor
First Online:

Abstract

The purpose of this letter to the editor is to comment on several review papers recently published in the current Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Special Issue on Technology: Software, Robotics, and Translational Science. These reviews address a variety of aspects relating to technology-aided intervention and instruction for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Here, I comment on and evaluate the overall status of research and development in this area, including reflection on current challenges in this area in the context of previous challenges and resolutions in behavioral intervention research. From these reviews and the current evaluation, I further discuss important next steps for the field which may be critical for guiding progress toward meaningful impacts upon individuals with ASD.

Keywords

Autism Spectrum Disorder Video Modeling Industry Partner Picture Exchange Communication System Autism Intervention 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Notes

Author Contributions

JPM is solely responsible for the content of this commentary, and read and approved the final manuscript.

Conflict of interest

Dr. McCleery receives financial compensation as an employee of Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc., the developers of the Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®) and the PECS IV+™ app for the iPad.

References

  1. Bondy, A., & Frost, L. (2009). Generalization issues pertaining to the picture exchange communication system (PECS). In C. Whalen (Ed.), Real life, real progress for children with autism spectrum disorders: Strategies for successful generalization in natural environments. Baltimore, MD: Paul Brookes Publishing Company.Google Scholar
  2. Dunlap, G., & Koegel, R. L. (1980). Motivating autistic children through stimulus variation. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 13, 619–627.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  3. Frost, L., & Bondy, A. (2002). The picture exchange communication system training manual (2nd ed.). Newark, DE: Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc.Google Scholar
  4. Frost, L., & McGowan, J. (2011). Strategies for transitioning from PECS to SGD. Part I: Overview and device selection. Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 20, 114–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. Frost, L., & McGowan, J. (2012). Strategies for transitioning from PECS to SGD. Part 2: Maintaining communication competency. Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 21, 3–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. Gordon, K., Pasco, G., McElduff, F., Wade, A., Howlin, P., & Charman, T. (2011). A communication-based intervention for nonverbal children with autism: What changes? Who benefits? Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79(4), 447–457.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  7. Koegel, R. L., Dyer, K., & Bell, L. K. (1987). The influence of child- preferred activities on autistic children’s social behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 20, 243–252.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  8. Lorah, E. R., Parnell, A., Whitby, P. S., & Hantula, D. (2014). A systematic review of tablet computers and portable media players as speech generating devices for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, doi: 10.1007/s10803-014-2314-4.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  9. Lord, C., Risi, S., Lambrecht, L., Cook, E. H., Jr., Leventhal, B. L., DiLavore, P. C., Pickles, A., & Rutter, M. (2000). The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic: A standard measure of social and communication deficits associated with the spectrum of autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 205–223.Google Scholar
  10. Maglione, M. A., Gans, D., Das, L., Timbie, J., Kasari, C., & Technical Expert Panel; HRSA Autism Intervention Research—Behavioral (AIR-B) Network. (2012). Nonmedical interventions for children with ASD: Recommended guidelines and further research needs. Pediatrics, 130(Suppl 2), S169–S178.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  11. McGee, G. G., Morrier, M. J., & Daly, T. (2000). The walden early childhood programs. In J. S. Handleman & S. L. Harris (Eds.), Preschool education programs for children with autism (pp. 157–190). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.Google Scholar
  12. Odom, S. L., Collett-Kingenberg, L., Rogers, S. J., & Hatton, D. D. (2010). Evidence-based practices in interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 54(4), 275–282.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. Odom, S. L., Thompson, J. L., Hedges, S., Boyd, B. A., Dykstra, J. R., Duda, M. A., Szidon, K. L., Smith, L. E., & Bord, A. (2014). Technology-aided interventions and instruction for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, doi: 10.1007/s10803-014-2320-6 Google Scholar
  14. Schreibman, L., Dawson, G., Stahmer, A. C., Landa, R., Rogers, S. J., McGee, G. G., Kasari, C., Ingersoll, B., Kaiser, A. P., Bruinsma, Y., McNerney, E., Wetherby, A., & Halladay, A. (2015). Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions: Empirically validated treatments for autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(8), 2411–2428. doi: 10.1007/s10803-015-2407-8.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  15. Schreibman, L., & Stahmer, A. C. (2014). A randomized trial comparison of the effects of verbal and pictorial naturalistic communication strategies on spoken language for young children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(5), 1244–1251.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  16. Skinner, B. F. (1957). Verbal behavior. Acton, MA: Copley Publishing Group.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. Stephenson, J., & Limbrick, L. (2013). A review of the use of touch-screen mobile devices by people with developmental disabilities. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1878-8.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  18. Still, K., Rehfeldt, R. A., Whelan, R., May, R., & Dymond, S. (2014). Facilitating requesting skills using high-tech augmentative and alternative communication devices with individuals with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8, 1184–1199.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. Volkmar, F. R., & McPartland, J.C. (2014). From Kanner to DSM-5: Autism as an evolving diagnostic concept. Annual Reviews Clinical Psychology, 10, 193–212. doi: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032813-153710.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Whyte, E. M., Smyth, J. M., & Scherf, K. S. (2014). Designing serious game interventions for individuals with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, doi: 10.1007/s10803-014-2333-1.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  21. Yoder, P. J., & Lieberman, R. G. (2010). Brief Report: Randomized test of the efficacy of picture exchange communication system on highly generalized picture exchanges in children with ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(5), 629–632.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Center for Autism ResearchChildren’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUSA
  2. 2.Pyramid Educational ConsultantsNewarkUSA

Personalised recommendations