An Intervention Study Of Parent-Implemented Picture Exchange Communication System Training On Communication Behaviors Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Children with autism often have difficulty understanding,developing and maintaining relationships due to persistent deficits in social communication and interaction.According to empirical literature,picture exchange communication system can effectively improve the communication ability of autistic children.In addition,as one of the intervention methods for autistic children,evidence-based practice showes that parent-implemented intervention can not only improve the social communication behavior of autistic children,but also improve the quality of life of families with autistic children.At present,there are few studies on the intervention of parent-implemented picture exchange communication system on the communication behavior of autistic children at home and abroad.This study trained parents of autistic children with the picture exchange communication system,guided parents to intervene with autistic children,and explored the intervention effect of implementing the picture exchange communication system on autistic children’s communication behavior.This research adopted the changing criterion design of a single-subject study.Three autistic children aged 5 to 7 were selected as subjects,and their father or mother was the implementer of the intervention.The whole experimental treatment was divided into three stages: baseline period,intervention period and maintenance period.The intervention period was subdivided into four sub-stages.Finally,graphical data analysis,visual analysis and C statistical analysis were carried out on the collected data,supplemented by stakeholder interviews for social validity analysis,and the following research conclusions were drawn:（1）The parent-implemented picture exchange communication system had good immediate effect,maintenance effect and generalization effect on the communication behavior of children with autism.After training,all three children could communicate independently with pictures and maintain and generalization well.（2）The parent-implemented picture exchange communication system had good social validity in the intervention of autistic children’s communication behavior.（3）There are individual differences in the intervention effect of parent-implemented picture exchange communication system on autistic children’s communication behavior,which may be affected by intervention materials,intervention environment,intervention implementers,and children’s own ability level.Therefore,this study suggests that parents of autistic children can use the picture exchange communication system to intervene autistic children under the training and guidance of professionals,give full play to the positive factors affecting the intervention effect,and reasonably avoid the negative factors affecting the intervention effect,so as to maximize the effectiveness of the picture exchange communication system and promote the development of autistic children’s communication ability.