Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #97

Abstract The ability to communicate wants and needs is an essential skill that, if absent, can contribute to maladaptive behavior (Suberman & Cividini‐Motta, 2019). Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) can be utilized to equip individuals with means of communication, promote increases in positive social interactions, as well as decrease maladaptive behaviors (Charlop-Christy et al., 2002). Within this study researchers investigated the effects of a systematic prompt fade in teaching a client diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to discriminate across multiple pictured stimuli on a PECS board. Following the implementation of the systematic prompt fade, the client's visual scanning and discrimination skills increased characterized by the immediate acquisition of her Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Addendum. Future programming will include capitalizing on Client’s newly acquired communication skills via PECS to target her independence in more complex communication skills as well as the potential transition over to a Proloquo2Go device to increase the efficiency of her communication.