For children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder/Autism, language-scripting therapy provides significant changes in social interaction with peers. Talk and Play, a multi-media language-scripting therapy study compares video versus picture-book scripts to determine which has the better long-term effectiveness in a variety of typical social situations.
Twelve children were divided into two groups, one using video scripts and the other using picture-books. Each group met three days a week, an hour each day for eight weeks. This intense treatment used both speech and occupational therapy for an integrated approach.
Each week, pre and post tests were administered to assess retention of language scripts, and initiation and response to peer conversations during play activities. Preliminary results indicate Talk and Play has been successful in creating positive outcomes. Follow-up data will be collected to see if this initial result is maintained for each child and to see if one method of scripting proves more effective.
Talk and Play will be presented at the Council for Exceptional Children Conferences in April 2002. The initial funding to support the preliminary results of this research was made possible through a Washington Square Health Foundation Grant.
