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PRC Profile of Success: Noah Pierce

Noah Pierce is a six year old boy with autism from Paradise Valley, AZ. He lives at home with his mom and dad. He attends a self-contained K-3 program for high-functioning children with autism.

Noah received a formal augmentative communication evaluation at age five and it was determined that he would benefit from a high-tech dynamic display device with a 2000 minimum word vocabulary. Noah received his Vantage communication device four months before his sixth birthday. Initially, he rejected the device and would turn it off when presented with the Unity 45 Single Hit vocabulary. The device vocabulary was increased from 2000 to 3000 words and was modified with more customized fringe vocabulary at the recommendation of the device consultant. Noah began to respond to the Vantage and would "play" with the device. He would "babble," by hitting all the icons, but one day he suddenly stopped the play and began using the device more appropriately. Noah learned much of his device vocabulary by using the icon-tutor. Noah would get a book, type words from the book into the tutor, view the sequence, and then sequence the word. Noah still does this and has expanded his vocabulary greatly. Noah is now learning how to add words that are not in his device.

Noah was able to sequence two to three word sentences to request food or drink within two months of receiving his Vantage. Within four months he could sequence four to five word sentences. At five months, he began adding grammatical markers, along with "please" and "thank you".

At six months, Noah sequenced a seven word sentence without assistance. He said, "I want to work on the computer." He also spontaneously used his Vantage to request a band aid after cutting his hand. He said, "I need a band aid please." Noah remained calm and used his device instead of resorting to a tantrum. He is currently using his device in school to participate in the curriculum and activities. Recently, during circle time he reported to the class that the weather that day was humid. At home, he uses the device to control the TV, the VCR and the DVD player. Additionally, Noah uses his device to listen to music with the embedded MP3 player and to recite scripture like the other children in his Sunday school classroom. Lastly, Noah uses his Vantage to answer questions, make choices, and play games with his habilitator and friends.

Noah completed the Literacy Through Unity Words (LTUW) 45 curriculum and is now learning the 84 location user area and participating in the LTUW 84 curriculum.

Submitted by Laura and Robert Pierce
Parents of Noah

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