A Review of Language Development Protocols for Individuals With Autism

Authors

Meleah Ackley, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Jennifer W. Subramanian, University of Southern Mississippi
James W. Moore, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Sarah Litten, University of Southern Mississippi
Marshall P. Lundy, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Shawn K. Bishop, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2019

School

Psychology

Abstract

The present review sought to examine contemporary applied behavior analytic (ABA)-based assessment and curriculum protocols for teaching language skills to children with autism and evaluate the evidence supporting their reliability, validity, and effectiveness. Results of the literature search revealed the existence of 18 ABA educational assessments and curriculum protocols. Of the 18 protocols reviewed, only four had data supporting the reliability and validity of the assessment tools that are used to identify skills for treatment, and just four protocols had data supporting the effectiveness of their corresponding training curricula. Several protocols have failed to generate data supporting their utility as behavior analytic tools for use with individuals with autism or other intellectual disabilities, although a few have generated meaningful data and may therefore confer a technological and applied benefit to the field of ABA.

Publication Title

Journal of Behavioral Education

Volume

28

First Page

362

Last Page

388

Recommended Citation

Ackley, M., Subramanian, J. W., Moore, J. W., Litten, S., Lundy, M. P., Bishop, S. K. (2019). A Review of Language Development Protocols for Individuals With Autism. Journal of Behavioral Education, 28, 362-388.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/18022