Examination of the Role of Training and Fidelity of Implementation in the Use of Assistive Communications for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta‐Analysis of the Picture Exchange Communication System
British Journal of Special Education
Lamb, R., Miller, D., et al. (2018).
British Journal of Special Education, 45(4), 454-472.
This meta-analysis investigates the effectiveness of PECS as a communictaion system for children on the autism spectrum and examines how training and implementation fidelity inflences the effectiveness of PECS.
Not stated
Between 2010 and 2018
Primary studies
19
<p>Results of the included randomized controlled trials, with a weighted effect size of 0.339, suggested the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to have small effects for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Results of the included single-case study designs, with a weighted effect size of 0.815, suggested PECS had large effects for children with ASD. Results are varied because of the differences between the two study designs (e.g., number of participants).</p>
<p>Results also demonstrated that for every one hour of training, the effectiveness of PECS increased by three points. These results suggest that PECS can be more effective when the individual is properly trained to implement the communication system.</p>
