Comparison between visual scene displays and exchange-based communication in augmentative and alternative communication for children with ASD

Visual scene displays are a novel type of augmentative and alternative communication that has recently been investigated as an alternative to traditional, grid-based systems. However, most of the limited research on visual scene displays has focused on typically developing populations. In addition, a limited range of communicative functions has been explored (i.e., requests). This study sought to expand on the existing literature on visual scene displays by investigating the differential impact that visual scene displays versus traditional, grid-based systems have on the number of spontaneous comments and correct answers to questions made by two male, preschool children with autism. The participants in the current study were exposed to two conditions during the reading of a book-a visual scene display condition and an exchange-based communication system. The results indicated that visual scene displays may have second effects on children who display echoic and matching-to-sample skills prior to being exposed to a visual scene display.