A REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC STUDIES ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SPEECH-GENERATING DEVICES TO STIMULATE COMMUNICATION IN PEOPLE WITH AUTISM

It is estimated that about 30% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain minimally verbal, which means that each of these children makes very limited use of spoken language, particularly for communication purposes. Over the years, the most used technique of Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) has been PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). The PECS system is most commonly used in autism, it is a low-tech systems whose goal is to teach functional communication through strategies that exploit support and reinforcement mechanisms of verbal behavior. Furthermore, scientific studies have shown that the use of a PECS system reduces the presence of behavioral problems. In recent years the symbolic system of PECS pictograms has been combined with speech synthesis devices: VOCAs (Voice Output Communication Aids) or SGD (Speech Generative Devices) are high-tech systems to support individuals with ASDs such as, they are electronic and transportable devices that produce a speech output, which has been previously registered or based on synthesized language. The experts have developed the idea that the SGDs are intrinsically motivating, therefore allow a rapid and effective acquisition of communication skills. Some studies have focused on the comparison between the traditional method of PECS and that of high-tech instruments such as those of SGDs to support the communication of individuals with ASD. The aim of this study was to understand whether the results of the latest research confirm that SGDs are as effective as PECS in stimulating spontaneous and reciprocal communication. The results showed that the SGDs are equally effective in stimulating the communication of children with ASD; some studies have shown that there is often a preference for children in choosing SGDs over PECS.