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The Relationship Between Augmentative and Alternative Communication Use by Pediatric Psychiatric Inpatients With
Kaitlyn A Clarke1, Matthew Siegel2, Diane L Williams1
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
For autistic individuals with complex needs, unmet communication demands may lead to interfering behaviors. Providing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) may help address these behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Behavioral Science
- Communication Sciences
Background:
- Previous research indicated inconsistent links between verbal ability and interfering behaviors in autism.
- Prior studies often overlooked the role of alternative communication methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between verbal ability, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) use, and interfering behaviors in autistic individuals.
- To examine how communication needs influence behavioral profiles in autism.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of data from 260 autistic inpatients (ages 4-20) from the Autism Inpatient Collection (AIC).
- Collected data on AAC use, language abilities, nonverbal IQ, and severity of interfering and repetitive behaviors.
Main Results:
- Lower language abilities correlated with increased repetitive behaviors and stereotypies.
- Interfering behaviors were linked to communication deficits, particularly in those needing but not receiving AAC.
- Receptive vocabulary showed a positive correlation with interfering behaviors in individuals with complex communication needs.
Conclusions:
- Unmet communication needs in some autistic individuals may manifest as interfering behaviors.
- Further research into the functions of these behaviors and communication skills is recommended.
- Increased focus on providing AAC may help prevent and reduce interfering behaviors in autism.
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