Systematic Review of Variables Related to Instruction in Augmentative and Alternative Communication Implementation: Group and Single-Case Design.

Purpose: This article provides a systematic review and analysis of group and single-case studies addressing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention with school-aged persons having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities resulting in complex communication needs (CCNs). Specifically, we examined participant characteristics in group-design studies reporting AAC intervention outcomes and how these compared to those reported in single-case experimental designs (SCEDs). In addition, we compared the status of intervention features reported in group and SCED studies with respect to instructional strategies utilized.

Participant characteristics predicting communication outcomes in AAC implementation for individuals with ASD and IDD: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis examined communication outcomes in single-case design studies of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions and their relationship to participant characteristics. Variables addressed included chronological age, pre-intervention communication mode, productive repertoire, and pre-intervention imitation skills. Investigators identified 114 single-case design studies that implemented AAC interventions with school-aged individuals with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability.

Utilizing Peers to Support Academic Learning for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorder in academic settings is becoming more common. However, most practices focus on increasing social skills even though students also struggle in academic areas. There is a need for strategies that address both social and academic skill deficits, are evidence based, and are easy to implement in the classroom.

A Visual Aid and Objective Rule Encompassing the Data Features of Visual Analysis.

Visual analysis of single-case research is commonly described as a gold standard, but it is often unreliable. Thus, an objective tool for applying visual analysis is necessary, as an alternative to the Conservative Dual Criterion, which presents some drawbacks. The proposed free web-based tool enables assessing change in trend and level between two adjacent phases, while taking data variability into account.

Results reporting in single case experiments and single case meta-analysis.

Single Case Experimental Design is a discipline grounded in applied behavior analysis where the needs of individual clients and the application of scientific inquiry are fundamental tenets. These two principles remain tantamount in the conduct of research using this methodology and the expansion of the method into evidence-based practice determinations. Although recommendations for quality indicators are widespread, implementation is not.

High-technology augmentative and alternative communication for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex communication needs: a meta-analysis.

The use of mobile technology is ubiquitous in modern society and is rapidly increasing in novel use. The use of mobile devices and software applications ("apps") as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is rapidly expanding in the community, and this is also reflected in the research literature. This article reports the social-communication outcome results of a meta-analysis of single-case experimental research on the use of high-tech AAC, including mobile devices, by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder.

Interrater agreement between visual analysts of single-case data: a meta-analysis.

Visual analysis is the most widely applied method of data interpretation for single-case research as it encompasses multifaceted considerations relevant to evaluating behavior change. However, a previous research synthesis found low levels of interrater agreement between visually analyzed ratings of graphed data across all variables under analysis. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the peer-reviewed literature to date for potential moderators affecting the proportion of interrater agreement between visual analysts.

Incorporating nonoverlap indices with visual analysis for quantifying intervention effectiveness in single-case experimental designs.

The field of neuropsychological rehabilitation frequently employs single case experimental designs (SCED) in research, but few if any, of the published studies use the effect sizes recommended by the American Psychological Association. Among the available methods for analysing single case designs, this paper focuses on nonoverlap methods. This paper provides examples and suggestions for integrating visual and statistical analysis, pointing out where contradictions may occur and how to be a critical consumer.

Reliability of multi-category rating scales.

The use of multi-category scales is increasing for the monitoring of IEP goals, classroom and school rules, and Behavior Improvement Plans (BIPs). Although they require greater inference than traditional data counting, little is known about the inter-rater reliability of these scales. This simulation study examined the performance of nine reliability indices applied to six multi-category scales of different gradations (2, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 15 points) all derived from the same quasi-continuous (1-30) data.

Combining nonoverlap and trend for single-case research: Tau-U.

A new index for analysis of single-case research data was proposed, Tau-U, which combines nonoverlap between phases with trend from within the intervention phase. In addition, it provides the option of controlling undesirable Phase A trend. The derivation of Tau-U from Kendall's Rank Correlation and the Mann-Whitney U test between groups is demonstrated.

Effect size in single-case research: a review of nine nonoverlap techniques.

With rapid advances in the analysis of data from single-case research designs, the various behavior-change indices, that is, effect sizes, can be confusing. To reduce this confusion, nine effect-size indices are described and compared. Each of these indices examines data nonoverlap between phases.

Behaviors that discriminate ADHD in children and adolescents: primary symptoms, symptoms of comorbid conditions, or indicators of functional impairment?

Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether behaviors that differentiate children and adolescents with ADHD from those without are related to the primary diagnostic criteria (i.e., inattention and impulsivity-hyperactivity), symptoms of comorbid conditions, functional impairment, or a combination, and to determine whether behaviors that discriminate are consistent between the key developmental stages of childhood and adolescence.

An improved effect size for single-case research: nonoverlap of all pairs.

Nonoverlap of All Pairs (NAP), an index of data overlap between phases in single-case research, is demonstrated and field tested with 200 published AB contrasts. NAP is a novel application of an established effect size known in various forms as Area Under the Curve (AUC), the Common Language Effect Size (CL), the Probability of Superiority (PS), the Dominance Statistic (DS), Mann-Whitney's U, and Sommers D, among others. NAP was compared with 3 other non-overlap-based indices: PND (percent of nonoverlapping data), PEM (percent of data points exceeding the median), and PAND (percent of all nonoverlapping data), as well as Pearson's R(2).