PIPA
Peer Interventions for Preschoolers with Autism (PIPA) is formally titled, Examining Adaptive Peer-Mediated Interventions for Preschoolers with ASD and Limited or No Spoken Language: A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial.
Goals of PIPA
The main goal of this project is to examine evidence-based Stay-Play-Talk peer intervention approaches to improve social communication of preschool-age children with ASD and limited or no spoken language.
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Additionally, we will examine the effectiveness of adapting peer interventions to meet the individual communication needs of children with autism who may respond at a different pace.
Project Accomplishments
Years 1 and 2: Provided 15 autistic children with an iPad with voice output app (e.g., TouchChat) to use as a speech-generating device. Collaborated with child’s team to program a functional communication vocabulary.
Trained and coached 12 early service providers to provide Stay-Play-Talk intervention
Taught 28 peers to Stay-Play-Talk and be responsive social partners
Observed marked communication improvements for both autistic children and peer buddies in how often they talked to each other and in reciprocal, back-and-forth interactions during play.
Research team shared written outcomes and reports with families and school staff during end of school year meetings.