Exploring the Impact of Cognition on Young Children's Ability to Navigate a Speech-Generating Device.

This study examined the impact of cognition on young children's ability to navigate a speech-generating device (SGD) with dynamic paging. Knowledge of which cognitive factors impact navigational skills could help clinicians select the most appropriate SGD for children who have complex communication...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:AAC: Augmentative & Alternative Communication Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 347 - 360
Autores principales: Robillard, Manon, Mayer-Crittenden, Chantal, Roy-Charland, Annie, Minor-Corriveau, Michèle, Bélanger, Roxanne
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Dec2013
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:This study examined the impact of cognition on young children's ability to navigate a speech-generating device (SGD) with dynamic paging. Knowledge of which cognitive factors impact navigational skills could help clinicians select the most appropriate SGD for children who have complex communication needs. A total of 65 typically developing children aged 48-77 months were assessed using the Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised (Leiter-R) and the Automated Working Memory Assessment (AWMA). Although significant correlations were found between the ability to navigate an SGD (using a taxonomic organization) and all cognitive factors except for cognitive flexibility, a stepwise linear regression revealed that sustained attention, categorization, and fluid reasoning were the most pragmatic set of factors to predict navigational skills. Future studies are needed to further understand the factors that impact children's navigational skills.