What Is the Impact of Speech-Generating Device Use on Speech Production by Autistic Adults?

Purpose: This study serves as an extension of previous research on the effects of speech-generating device (SGD) use on the speech of autistic children, aiming to investigate the impact of SGD use on the speech of autistic adults. Method: A single-subject multiple-baseline design across behaviors was conducted with a minimally speaking, 21-year-old autistic man. The participant was an independent SGD user of the Accent 800 with LAMP Words for Life software. Differential reinforcement and echoic prompting were delivered concurrently to teach three new words on the SGD. Dependent variables included percentage of trials in which the participant vocally produced an independent target word, an independent target request using the SGD (a prompted full word or word approximation with SGD), or a novel word. Results: SGD use was consistent and accurate across all stimuli throughout the study. The participant mastered all three target words—“eat,” “drink,” and “music”—with an upward trend in independent words during treatment and strong maintenance during withdrawal. Novel words also emerged across phases. Conclusions: The results were consistent with those of previous studies indicating that SGD use can promote speech in autistic children. This study demonstrated that the adult participant increased speech production following intervention with an SGD. Limitations of the study include the single participant and participant experimenter familiarity. Further research is needed with autistic adults.