ERIC Number: EJ1184081
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0827-3383
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Social Positioning: Increasing the Nonsymbolic and Symbolic Communication of Students with Complex Communication Needs
Bonnike, Dena R.; Douglas, Karen H.; Stoner, Julia B.
International Journal of Special Education, v33 n1 p152-170 2018
The purpose of this single case A-B-A-B study was to determine if the dependent variables of eye gaze, vocalization, and reaching would increase among students and peers with severe and multiple disabilities and complex communication needs when the independent variable of positioning for communication and socialization (peers facing each other and no more than two feet apart) was manipulated. Speech-generating devices were also provided as part of the intervention package. Three middle school students attending a therapeutic day school participated in the study during their out-of-wheelchair time. A functional relation was demonstrated between eye gaze and social positioning across all students. However, they did not maintain these levels of communication one and two weeks after completion of the study. Future research and implications were discussed.
Descriptors: Eye Movements, Interpersonal Communication, Nonverbal Communication, Severe Disabilities, Multiple Disabilities, Socialization, Assistive Technology, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Middle School Students, Human Body, Communication Problems, Intervention, Special Schools, Day Schools, Class Organization, Speech Communication
International Journal of Special Education. 2889 Highbury Street, Vancouver, BC V6R 3T7, Canada. Web site: http://www.internationalsped.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A