Comparing PECS and VOCA to promote communication opportunities and to reduce stereotyped behaviors by three girls with Rett syndrome

• Rett syndrome (RS) is a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder with communication impairments.
• A PECS-VOCA comparison to enhance communication abilities by three girls with RS was assessed.
• Results showed that both strategies were successful by promoting communication opportunities.
• Moreover the intervention program had beneficial effects by increasing positive mood.
• Furthermore, stereotyped behaviors decreased during intervention phases.

We compared PECS and VOCA intervention strategies to promote communication opportunities for three girls with Rett syndrome and severe to profound developmental disabilities. The first aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of both aforementioned strategies by enhancing request and choices of preferred items by the participants involved to a caregiver. The second goal of the study was to assess the effects of the intervention program by reducing stereotyped behaviors (i.e. body rocking and hand movements). Finally, the third purpose was to carry out the indices of happiness and monitor quality of life concerning the participants exposed to the intervention program. The study was carried out according to an alternating treatments design with a final preference check phase for each participant. Results showed an increasing of independent requested and chosen items as well as of indices of happiness during intervention phases for all participants. Moreover, two of them chose VOCA strategy during preference checks phase, while the third one equally chose both strategies. Furthermore, a decreasing of stereotypies was observed during intervention phases for the three participants. Clinical, educational and psychological implications of the findings are discussed.