Impact of Computerized “Sounding out” on Spelling Performance of a Child Who Uses AAC: A Preliminary Report

Authors

Jillian H McCarthy, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
David R. Beukelman, Institute for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering at Madonna Rehabilitation HospitalFollow
Tiffany Hogan, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

12-2011

Citation

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, December 2011, vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 119-124 doi: 10.1044/aac20.4.119

Comments

Copyright 2011 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Abstract

Spelling is a vital skill for people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The ability to spell words provides an opportunity to create novel and spontaneous communication and increases educational, social, and employment opportunities for children and adults. However, many children and youth who rely on AAC struggle to gain functional spelling skills and written language. The purpose of this preliminary investigation was to develop a strategy to provide auditory letter-sounds using commercially available computer equipment and to evaluate how such a computerized “sounding out” strategy influences spelling accuracy for one child who required AAC support. The spelling accuracy of both consonants and vowels increased during intervention sessions when individual sounds associated with target words were provided compared to the baseline session when individual sounds were not provided. Future directions are discussed.