Research Symposium Program - Individual Details

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5th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 17, 2025

Megan DeWitt

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BIO

Megan DeWitt is a first-year graduate student in Florida State University’s M.S. program in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from FSU Panama City. Megan currently works at FSU's Early Childhood Autism Program as a registered behavior technician, where she provides ABA therapy to children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities using evidence-based practices. Following graduating with her master’s degree, Megan plans to obtain a PhD in ABA and one day become a professor.

Teaching Manding via Proloquo2Go Using Systematic Prompt Fading

Authors: Megan DeWitt, Kirstin Taylor
Student Major: Psychology--Applied Behavior Analysis
Mentor: Kirstin Taylor
Mentor's Department: Psychology--Applied Behavior Analysis
Mentor's College: Florida State University
Co-Presenters:

Abstract

Manding is requesting or asking for what one wants or needs and is crucial for communication. Proloquo2Go is an electronic augmentative and alternative device (AAC) that aids individuals with speech impairments to functionally communicate needs and desires. AAC devices are common tools used to support individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to communicate with those around them. Currently, the client, a six-year-old female diagnosed with ASD, primarily uses the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) for communication. Caregivers recently purchased Proloquo2Go and have expressed interest in the client transitioning from PECS to Proloquo2Go. To teach the client how to use Proloquo2Go, clinicians utilized systematic prompt fading. Clinicians began with a full physical prompt guiding the client to select the button corresponding to an item she expressed interest in and faded the prompt until the client demonstrated the ability to ask for items using her Proloquo2Go independently. The number of buttons were then increased. Instruction occurred under both contrived and naturalistic scenarios, and the client has generalized this skill to spontaneously manding via her Prolouo2Go without any prompting from clinicians. One limitation of this study is the client would express interest in multiple items and select several buttons at once during trials manding for one item, resulting in mistrials due to uncertainty of what the client was truly asking for. This poster presentation demonstrates the importance of prompt fading to build independence in skill acquisition and the support AAC devices bring in providing clients diagnosed with ASD methods to functionally communicate.

Keywords: AAC device; functional communication training; prompt fading; manding; Proloquo2Go