Transferring AAC intervention to the home

To evaluate the acquisition of AAC skills during an initial clinical trial and assess subsequent transfer of the training to the home setting.

A 12-year-old male with autism was first seen in a clinical setting to establish the use of a voice-output communication device. After learning to use the device to request access to preferred objects in the clinical trial, the intervention was transferred to the home. Follow-up with the parent was conducted via e-mail and telephone. Videotapes were made of initial home-based sessions to enable evaluation of the participant's progress.

The programme was successful in teaching the participant to use a portable AAC device to make requests during the clinical trial and then in two home-based activities.

An initial clinical trial with follow-up support for parents may be an efficient method for beginning AAC intervention and transferring the training procedures to the home setting.