Effects of an asynchronous, online training program for caregivers of children with autism using augmentative and alternative communication

Individuals with autism who are minimally speaking often use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Communication partner training is an integral element of AAC intervention, and caregivers are ideal communication partners for supporting their child’s language development. Asynchronous, online trainings may offer caregivers an accessible and flexible medium to learn to support their child’s AAC communication. The current study used a single-case randomized multiple-probe design to evaluate the effects of an asynchronous, online caregiver training on caregiver’s AAC strategy use in the context of shared book reading. Visual and statistical analyses were used to determine the presence and magnitude of effects. Four out of five caregivers acquired the target strategy. A functional relation was observed between the online training and caregiver strategy use in addition to individual components of the strategy (e.g., modeling). Tau-U nonoverlap calculations suggested medium to large effects of the intervention on caregiver strategy use. Asynchronous, online trainings may offer a valuable resource to caregivers of children who use AAC for communication, and caregivers may prefer the flexibility and accessibility that is associated with asynchronous trainings. Future research should work toward identifying how online programs can most effectively support widespread parent training and improve outcomes for children who require AAC.