American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology最新文献

{"title":"Comparing Two Connected Speech Tasks in Greek Speakers With the Logopenic Variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia and Alzheimer's Disease.","authors":"Nomiki Karpathiou, Maria Kambanaros","doi":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-23-00474","DOIUrl":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-23-00474","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Different tasks have been used to elicit connected speech samples and analyze speech and language production in dementia. In this study, we explored whether there was a differential performance for individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA) on two elicitation tasks, picture description and story retell. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between connected speech measures and formal neuropsychological tests.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A total of 18 individuals participated in this study: six with lvPPA, six with AD, and six neurotypical adults matched for gender, age, and education. Connected speech analysis was based on a quantitative production analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Differences between the two tasks were found for mean logarithmic frequency of open-class words, number of sentences, and mean utterance length. Individuals with lvPPA differed from individuals with AD and neurotypical adults on type-token ratio square root, mean utterance length, and sentence elaboration index. Significant intercorrelations between connected speech measures in the two tasks were found for speech rate and total dysfluencies. Finally, significant associations were detected between connected speech measures and formal neuropsychological tests.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Connected speech analysis can assist in diagnosing lvPPA and distinguishing it from AD. While dysfluencies and speech rate remain consistent across connected speech tasks, other variables vary. Story retell demands greater executive resources and encourages richer vocabulary and morphosyntactic production, more accurately reflecting real-life communication compared to traditional picture description tasks. The study highlights the value of using connected speech assessment in clinical evaluations and carefully selecting appropriate tasks.</p><p><strong>Supplemental material: </strong>https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.29114060.</p>","PeriodicalId":49240,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"2141-2155"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144210050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes of a Culturally Adapted Caregiver-Mediated Early Language and Literacy Intervention Delivered Within a Latino/a Community Nonprofit.","authors":"Adriana I Mendez, Selena Valladares Ortiz, Karen Guerra, Alexa Gonzalez Laca, Katherine Pickard","doi":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00455","DOIUrl":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00455","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Caregiver-mediated interventions may be particularly well suited to support the communication and early literacy development of Latino children. However, few interventions have been adapted and/or implemented for the Latino community. The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of a culturally adapted caregiver-mediated early language intervention within a Latino-serving community nonprofit.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The current study used a community-partnered, prospective design to evaluate child and caregiver outcomes after participating in virtual or in-person intervention groups based on the Hanen Program It Takes Two to Talk at a community nonprofit providing services to the Latino community. Data collection measures included sociodemographic surveys, session attendance, caregiver efficacy and satisfaction, and child vocabulary and developmental screeners. Caregiver efficacy and child vocabulary measures were administered at pre- and post-intervention. Twenty Latino families completed all measures.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Caregivers tended to have more than one child, had low levels of acculturation, and mean household income was $26,629.09. Over 75% of Latino caregivers attended half or greater group sessions. Additionally, caregivers reported being satisfied with the program with all caregivers reporting that they would recommend the program to other families. Paired-samples <i>t</i> tests revealed that compared to pre-intervention, at post-intervention, caregivers reported a significant increase in their knowledge about their child's needs and strength, their ability to advocate for their child, and their ability to access community resources. Results revealed no statistically significant changes in child vocabulary outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Results suggest that adapting and implementing a caregiver-mediated early language and literacy program in the community is feasible and acceptable to underserved Latino caregivers. Additionally, participating in the program improved caregiver empowerment and efficacy. Future work will further examine more nuanced child social communication outcomes, establish long-term follow up of the participants, and focus on capacity building within the community nonprofit.</p>","PeriodicalId":49240,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"2062-2071"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144121399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Impact of COVID-19 on Early Intervention Referrals and Enrollments: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis.","authors":"Matthew A Zellner, Aaron J Kaat, Megan Y Roberts","doi":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00513","DOIUrl":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00513","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>We sought to examine changes in national Part C early intervention (EI) service provision associated with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we explored the extent to which this association differed geographically by U.S. state.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We obtained monthly service provision data, including new referrals and enrollments, from 2015 through 2021 from 44 Part C coordinating agencies. Using Bayesian-interrupted time series segmented regression analysis, we then examined the impact of the pandemic on EI at three key timepoints: April 2020, September 2020, and September 2021.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, we found large decreases in service provision rates for the first 2 timepoints; however, by September 2021, rates had moved closer to expected prepandemic levels. Referrals and enrollments followed similar patterns. Notably, states varied widely in the degree of EI disruption associated with the pandemic at each timepoint.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The onset of the pandemic was associated with significant disruption to EI service provision, the magnitude of which varied across states. Variance in state COVID-19 policies, particularly regarding telehealth implementation, may explain state differences. Children who were not referred to EI services during the pandemic may require additional support from school-age programs; however, further research is necessary to understand COVID-19-related changes to EI intervention hours and time to therapy onset.</p><p><strong>Supplemental material: </strong>https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.29218340.</p>","PeriodicalId":49240,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"2334-2341"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144259248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Guidance in Tracheostomy Care for Speech-Language Pathologists: The Green Light Tool.","authors":"Sara Penrod, Dory Forgit, Lindsay Griffin","doi":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00466","DOIUrl":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00466","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the implementation of the Green Light Tool for the evaluation and treatment of tracheostomy patients hospitalized at Maine Medical Center affects the time to initiating oral nutrition, use of speaking valves, and/or time to decannulation for temporary tracheostomies.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This pre-/post-intervention study uses retrospective chart review to collect data pre-intervention (e.g., Time 1) and at two time points post-intervention: 6 and 12 months after the Green Light Tool was implemented (e.g., Times 2 and 3, respectively).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data from 200 participants were included (Time 1: <i>n</i> = 100, Time 2: <i>n</i> = 50, Time 3: <i>n</i> = 50). Participants from each time period were similar along sex, age, and diagnosis. Participants in Time 1 had a statistically significant shorter length of stay compared to participants in Time 2 (adjusted [adj] <i>p</i> = .005) and Time 3 (adj <i>p</i> = .010). Following implementation of the Green Light Tool, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) received assessment consults sooner after a temporary tracheostomy was placed (adj <i>p</i> < .001), and patients with tracheostomies were evaluated by SLPs earlier in their hospitalization (adj <i>p</i> = .006). There was no significant difference on patient-centered outcomes, such as time to speaking valve use, capping trials, decannulation, oral trials, diet initiation, modified barium swallow, or placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Use of the Green Light Tool improved the timeliness and consistency with which SLPs evaluated patients and the self-reported comfort SLPs felt when assessing patients with tracheostomies. Possible reasons for a lack of effect on patient-centered outcomes, including the interference of COVID-19, are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":49240,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"2309-2323"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144530713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stuttering Representation on X: A Detailed Analysis of Content, Sentiment, and Influences.","authors":"Amir Hossein Rasoli Jokar, Hamid Karimi, J Scott Yaruss","doi":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00375","DOIUrl":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00375","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and aims: </strong>Social media shapes public perceptions of various topics, including health conditions and communication challenges, such as stuttering. This study analyzed the stuttering-related posts on X (formerly Twitter), a platform chosen for its unique features, including real-time interaction, concise messaging, and public accessibility. X's hashtag system also enables efficient tracking of trends and aggregating relevant posts, making it ideal for thematic and sentiment analysis. This study examined X to explore how stuttering is represented and perceived in top stuttering-related posts. It focused on these posts' themes, sentiments, and engagement patterns, as well as their influence on perceptions of stuttering on the platform.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>In this exploratory study, data from 153 highly engaged posts containing the hashtag \"#stuttering\" were analyzed using sentiment analysis, thematic analysis, and network analysis. Posts were selected based on engagement scores calculated from the number of likes, comments, and reposts.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The sentiment analysis revealed that 69.93% of posts conveyed positive sentiments, with the majority of these posted by self-identified stuttering advocates, while 6.54% reflected negative sentiments and 23.53% were neutral. Five key themes emerged from the data: (a) celebrating stuttering success, (b) enhancing awareness and education about stuttering, (c) navigating challenges through support, (d) addressing misconceptions and reducing stigma, and (e) systematic advocacy and policy reform. Network analysis reflected the critical role of health care professionals and advocacy organizations in shaping public perceptions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlighted both the supportive and stigmatizing aspects of stuttering representation on X. While prominent figures and organizations drive positive engagement, targeted efforts are still needed to address negative stereotypes. These findings provide insights for future public health communication and advocacy strategies in the stuttering community.</p>","PeriodicalId":49240,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"2156-2169"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144034482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Screening for Brain Injury in Justice-Involved Youth.","authors":"Jessica Salley Riccardi, Angela Hein Ciccia","doi":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00480","DOIUrl":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00480","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this clinical focus article is to describe the development, implementation, and outcomes of a screening process for brain injury and associated symptoms in a juvenile justice setting.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Through a collaborative, co-design process, a screening approach was created and implemented with youth intersecting with probation services. The brain injury screening was conducted using the HELPS Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Screening Tool and, for youth who screened positive for a likely brain injury on the HELPS TBI Screening Tool, a shortened version of the Juvenile Symptom Questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In just over 2 years, 119 male youth on probation were screened for brain injury by 17 different probation officers. Of the about 10% of youth who screened positive for a likely brain injury, the greatest number of symptoms with the most impact on daily functioning were in the domains of information processing and emotional problems.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The co-design, implementation, and outcomes of this screening process provide foundational knowledge on the prevalence of brain injury in justice-involved youth (JIYs) and associated symptoms that supports the need for continued research and development of clinical assessment and treatment processes. These findings highlight the critical role of speech-language pathologists on research and clinical teams to continue screening for brain injuries and providing brain injury sensitive supports and services to JIYs.</p>","PeriodicalId":49240,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"1910-1920"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143992181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical Application of Large Language Models for Intervention Plan Development in Speech-Language Pathology.","authors":"Namhee Kim, Mercy Homer, Hyeju Jang","doi":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00464","DOIUrl":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00464","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study investigates the speech and language intervention plan outputs generated by six different artificial intelligence (AI) tools powered by large language models (LLMs), currently available for clinical writing in the field of speech-language pathology. This study aims to evaluate the potential applications and limitations of these AI tools, as well as their ability to provide relevant and reliable information for developing intervention plans.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Using a mixed design including both quantitative and qualitative analyses, this study compared the performance outputs of the six AI tools across three fictional clinical cases, each involving different types of speech and language disorders in 5-year-old children. Two types of command prompts, each with three levels of input specificity, were used to generate AI outputs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results revealed that the intervention plans generated by these AI tools were rated between <i>Needs Improvement</i> and <i>Meets Expectations</i> in terms of clinical knowledge and competency. Detailed and structured command prompts than general prompts yielded outputs with higher ratings, while the specificity of case information did not consistently influence the outputs. Each AI tool demonstrated unique strengths and limitations in supporting the development of intervention plans.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of this study may serve as foundational data to provide insights into how clinicians, educators, and students in the field of speech-language pathology can appropriately and responsibly utilize existing AI resources when implementing these technologies into the development of intervention plans.</p>","PeriodicalId":49240,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"2098-2114"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144129337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining Associations Between Manometric Measures of Lingual Function and Swallowing Physiology Using the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile.","authors":"Amna S Mira, Anna K Hopkins, Meredith E Tabangin, Mekibib Altaye, Brittany N Krekeler","doi":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00360","DOIUrl":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00360","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Manometric measures of lingual function are widely used in clinical practice, premised on the assumption that lingual impairments affect oropharyngeal swallowing. This study assessed correlations between measures of lingual function and oropharyngeal swallowing impairments using the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Participants undergoing routine videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were recruited if able and willing to complete the lingual measurement protocol. Post-VFSS, participants completed the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and measures of lingual pressure during saliva swallow, anterior maximum isometric press (aMIP), effortful swallow, anterior isometric endurance (ISO-M), and anterior isotonic endurance. Correlations between these measures and MBSImP Oral Total (OT) and Pharyngeal Total (PT) Overall Impression scores and Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores were evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The final sample included 41 patients (23 men, 18 women; <i>M</i> = 61.75 ± 14.72 years) with heterogenous diagnoses. Analyses showed a moderate, significant negative correlation between aMIP and OT (<i>r</i>_s = -.44, <i>p</i> < .01), and ISO-M and OT (<i>r</i>_s = -.36, <i>p</i> = .02). Specifically, aMIP was strongly correlated with oral residue (Component 5; <i>r</i>_s = -.49, <i>p</i> < .01) and ISO-M with tongue control during bolus hold (Component 2; <i>r</i>_s = -.47, <i>p</i> < .01). No significant correlations were found with PT, EAT-10, or PAS scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Some lingual measurements correlate with oral physiological impairments, suggesting potential utility as clinical indicators of oral swallowing physiology. Further research is needed to explore these relationships across different patient populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":49240,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"2072-2080"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144227366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Construct Validity of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Bulbar Dysfunction Index-Remote.","authors":"Timothy Pommée, Liziane Bouvier, Carolina Barnett-Tapia, Marc F Maffei, Sarah E Gutz, Victoria E Tilton-Bolowsky, Rosemary Martino, James D Berry, Agessandro Abrahao, Lorne Zinman, Jordan R Green, Yana Yunusova","doi":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00489","DOIUrl":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00489","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Bulbar Dysfunction Index-Remote (ALSBDI-R) is a clinician-administered tool designed to assess bulbar dysfunction remotely in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study aimed to evaluate the construct validity of the ALSBDI-R by examining its correlation with established clinical measures and its ability to discriminate among different bulbar disease severities.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A total of 92 patients with ALS were recruited from two multidisciplinary clinics. Participants were assessed using the ALSBDI-R, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), the Center for Neurologic Study Bulbar Function Scale (CNS-BFS), the Sentence Intelligibility Test, and the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). Construct validity was established through Spearman correlations and comparison of ALSBDI-R scores across bulbar severity groups (asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Strong correlations were found between ALSBDI-R total scores and bulbar-specific measures such as ALSFRS-R bulbar subscore (<i>r</i> = -.85), CNS-BFS (<i>r</i> = .85), and EAT-10 (<i>r</i> = .77). The ALSBDI-R effectively discriminated between severity groups, supporting its construct validity. Severity bins were created based on median ALSBDI-R total scores for each group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The ALSBDI-R is a valid tool for remotely assessing bulbar dysfunction in patients with ALS. Despite several limitations, its ability to capture varying degrees of severity makes it valuable for clinical use and research, offering a standardized approach to monitor disease progression remotely.</p>","PeriodicalId":49240,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"2189-2211"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12270837/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144217383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Incorporating Visual Scene Display Augmentative and Alternative Communication Supports Into Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions.","authors":"Lauramarie Pope, Janice Light, Kristina Exton","doi":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00450","DOIUrl":"10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00450","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions (NDBIs) are a promising approach for supporting early language and communication development for young children on the autism spectrum.¹ However, the children with the greatest need of language supports-those with minimal speech-have limited means to participate within these interventions and are therefore the least likely to benefit from traditional NDBIs that focus primarily on speech production.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Using a single-case, multiple-probe across participants design, the current study investigated whether adding visual scene display (VSD) augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports with just-in-time programming and aided AAC input to NDBI procedures within an interactive storybook reading context resulted in (a) an increase in the number of symbolic communicative turns or (b) an increase in the rate of the number of different unique concepts expressed by young children on the autism spectrum with minimal speech.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All participants tended to take more symbolic communicative turns each session and add new expressive vocabulary more rapidly with the addition of VSD AAC supports as compared to NDBI procedures alone, although with notable variation across participants.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results of this study indicate that including VSD-based aided AAC systems and strategies designed to support beginning communicators within the framework of an NDBI can increase both the communication frequency and expressive vocabulary of children on the autism spectrum with minimal speech, beyond the effects of NDBI procedures alone.</p><p><strong>Supplemental material: </strong>https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.29374061.</p>","PeriodicalId":49240,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"2260-2279"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144530675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}