<p> Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (RTS) is a rare congenital neurodevelopmental disorder that often presents with corresponding speech and language delays. However, the available literature on communicative development in RTS is currently very limited. The purpose of this retrospective single-case research study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), an aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system developed to teach functional communication to children with limited communication, on communicative abilities in RTS by providing a detailed profile of the intervention procedures utilized for a 6-year-old child with RTS. The aim of this investigation was both to contribute to the existing literature on the syndrome, as well as to document the success of the PECS system in children with RTS. Specifically, the current study explored the participant’s communicative progression and development in the areas of (a) communication initiation, (b) vocalization, and (c) eye contact after Phases 1-4 of the PECS protocol were implemented. Data records from 26 evaluation and intervention sessions completed during the participant’s Spring 2014 attendance at the CSULB Department of Speech-Language Pathology’s Speech and Language Clinic were analyzed in order to evaluate the effects of the PECS protocol on the participant’s communicative abilities. Results indicated that the PECS treatment significantly improved the participant’s communicative abilities, namely, by increasing her initiation of communicative exchanges, increasing use of vocalizations and word/phrase approximations, and increasing eye contact with communication partners. The current study supports the use of the PECS protocol in children with RTS as a functional communication system.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10046248 |
| Date | 30 March 2016 |
| Creators | Monica, Danielle R. |
| Publisher | California State University, Long Beach |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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