Teaching two teenagers with autism spectrum disorders to request the continuation of video playback using a touchscreen computer with the function of automatic response to requests

•Standard high-tech products can be used as high performance assistive technology devices.•A touchscreen computer can be used as a SGD to provide alternative communication.•Two students with ASD can actively perform communication requests by using a touchscreen computer.

This study used a standard touchscreen computer with a newly developed Communication Request and Automatic Response Assistive Program (CRARAP) software package to evaluate whether two people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) would be able to actively perform communication requests to continue their preferred environmental stimulation. The CRARAP software was specifically developed for this study to combine the functions of a standard touchscreen computer with a speech-generating device (SGD) and the feature of automatic response to requests. A multiple probe design across participants was adopted in this study. The results show that both participants significantly improved their target responses in terms of performing the correct alternative communication request during the intervention phase, and retained this effective performance in the maintenance phase. The practical and developmental implications of the findings are discussed.