Describing the Motor Skills of Young Children with Developmental Delays Before and After Participating in an Augmented or Non-Augmented Language Intervention
Whitfield, Ani S
Citations
Abstract
This study described the effect of a non-augmented (Spoken Communication, SC) and two augmented language interventions (Augmented Communication-Input, AC-I or Augmented Communication-Output, AC-O) on the upper-body, gross and fine motor skills of toddlers at the onset and conclusion of the intervention. The data presented are from a longitudinal study by Romski, Sevcik, Adamson, Cheslock, Smith, Barker, & Bakeman (2010). Three standardized assessments and five observational measures examined the participants' motor skills used to activate the speech generating device (SGD), language abilities and outcomes. The AC-O intervention decreased physical prompting, increased error-free symbol activations, and increased developmentally appropriate gross and fine motor use. An augmented intervention that utilizes a SGD may facilitate both language and motor development through the combination of the communicative goals and increased motor learning opportunities when accessing the SGD device.