Improvisation of Mands Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Author

Lauren Decker, Utah State UniversityFollow

Date of Award:

12-2025

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling

Committee Chair(s)

Casey Clay

Committee

Casey Clay

Committee

Heather T. Weese

Committee

Naima Bhana-Lopez

Abstract

Research shows that young children who use pictures to communicate can use colors, shapes, and functions of items to request when the specific picture of the item is not available. This problem-solving skill is called improvisation, which this study taught to a preschool aged participant with communication delays. A four-year-old preschool student was able to make these requests with basic colors, shapes, and three function pictures. They also were able to make these requests for items not taught to them in different settings. This suggests that improvisation training can be successfully implemented with preschool aged children with communication delays and they can generalize these skills to other items and settings.

Recommended Citation

Decker, Lauren, "Improvisation of Mands Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication" (2025). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present. 677.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd2023/677