Abstract:
Rett syndrome is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that results in both motor and language skill regression with a wide range of severity in symptom presentation. Communication intervention may be particularly challenging for this population due to the decline in speech, motor skills, and motor planning difficulties that characterize the disorder (Townend et al., 2020), often resulting in the need for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology. Very limited research has evaluated communication interventions for individuals with Rett syndrome and even fewer have targeted expressive communication, an important skill required for improved autonomy and quality of life (Sigafoos et al., 2009; Townend et al., 2020). The current study sought to systematically replicate the Simacek et al. (2017) mand training procedures to teach three girls with Rett Syndrome to use AAC to make requests through caregiver coaching by researchers via telehealth. Results suggest that mand training was successful in increasing AAC use for all three participants. Barriers to intervention for this population and implications of results for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
摘要:
Rett综合征是一种严重的神经发育障碍,可导致运动和语言技能退化,症状表现严重程度广泛。由于言语的减少,沟通干预对这一人群可能特别具有挑战性,运动技能,以及表征该疾病的运动规划困难(Townend等人,,2020),通常导致需要增强和替代通信(AAC)技术。非常有限的研究评估了Rett综合征患者的沟通干预措施,甚至更少的有针对性的表达性沟通。提高自主性和生活质量所需的一项重要技能(Sigafoos等人。,2009;汤恩德等人。,2020)。当前的研究试图系统地复制Simacek等人。(2017)mand培训程序,教三名患有Rett综合征的女孩使用AAC通过研究人员通过远程医疗的护理人员指导提出要求。结果表明,mand训练在增加所有三名参与者的AAC使用方面是成功的。讨论了对该人群进行干预的障碍以及结果对未来研究和临床实践的影响。