Research Reports
Studies in AAC and Autism: The Impact of LAMP as a Therapy Intervention
Author: Meredith Potts, CCC-SLP and Ben Satterfield Ed.D.
Date Posted: 01/11/2013
The seven children in this study, who ranged from age three to age seven, had a diagnosis of autism or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and complex communication needs (CCN). All seven were diagnosed with expressive-receptive language disorder. Four presented with severe/profound apraxia. Two were found to have dysarthria of speech. Each obtained a speech generating device (SGD) and received Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) therapeutic intervention. Each child demonstrated communication progress. Language samples from six participants revealed gains as measured by mean length of utterance (MLU) within the first year. Other progress was noted in areas such as enhanced receptive vocabulary, spontaneous use of language, natural vocalization, and in the reduction of difficult behaviors and increase in shared attention.
