The Effects of Symbol Format and Symbol Set on Verb Identification

This study examined how symbol format (animated vs. static) and symbol set (Autism Language Program [ALP] vs. Picture Communication Symbols [PCS]) influence verb identification accuracy and symbol format preferences in 5- and 6-year-old children. Sixty-seven typically developing children were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2×2 factorial design. Trials used 16-symbol arrays, with animated conditions containing eight animated and eight static symbols. Format preference was assessed when both formats were present. No 2×2 analysis of variance main effects emerged, but a significant interaction showed that static PCS symbols were identified more accurately than animated PCS. Results indicated that children preferred ALP animations over PCS animations and PCS static symbols over ALP static ones. While animation did not significantly improve overall identification accuracy, ALP animations outperformed PCS animations. Children preferred ALP animations, suggesting these may support symbol transparency and search efficiency in augmentative and alternative communication interventions.