Communicative Ability Development by Picture Exchange Communication System for a Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Oral Cavity Impairment Caused by an Accident

Abstract

          The purpose of this research was to develop communicative ability by using Picture Exchange Communication System for a student with autism spectrum disorder and oral cavity impairment caused by an accident. The research participant was a 5 year-old male student with autism spectrum disorder and oral cavity impairment since an attack of a Rottweiler dog caused him facial and oral lacerations. Tools used in the research were 1) learning management plans based on Picture Exchange Communication System 2) Picture cards 3) Communicative ability development assessments. There were three phases in the research program which were 1) How to communicate 2) Distance and Persistence 3) Picture discrimination. The research results were presented in graphs, communicative ability progression percentage analysis and comparison, and content analysis. The output of this research showed the student participant with 0 percentage of communicative ability had developed his communicative ability after attended the research learning program using Picture Exchange Communication System. His communicative ability scores were 75% in the first phase – the picture exchanging phase, 70% in the second phase – the distance increasing phase and 80% in the final phase – the picture distinguishing phase. There were 15 teaching sessions for the learning program. The communicative ability of the autism participant after the learning program using Picture Exchange Communication System was higher because he understood the meanings of the pictures and he had followed the practice learning steps correctly.