Software to Enrich the Noun Lexicons and Lexical Learning of Children with Autism

描述(由申请者提供)：本项目的目标是开发和现场测试原型软件，用于一个以研究为基础的词汇发展计划，以词汇和认知相结合的方法习得名词。该课程的目标人群将是患有自闭症谱系障碍(ASD)的3-8岁儿童，以及广泛的其他语言障碍儿童，其语言功能在2-5岁范围内。该课程将在培训活动中使用核心名词词汇，以解决四个相互关联的目标：(A)使用快速和缓慢映射策略训练基本名词词汇；(B)通过将词汇条目与功能和/或描述性信息联系起来，丰富词汇词条的语义特征；(C)在一系列分类活动中使用核心词汇，加强词汇组织；(D)通过将基本一级名词与聚合相关概念联系起来的培训，扩大聚合模式。在第一阶段开发了课程的一个子集，并用于对目标人群中的科目进行迭代测试。研究发现，即使是语言功能低下的自闭症儿童也能够按预期使用原型材料，并获得或展示快速映射、词汇项、它们的类别及其语义联系的知识。在第二阶段，将利用在第一阶段获得的知识来改进和扩展课程，使之成为一个原型，涵盖220个目标名词(110个相关对)和至少10个上位名词类别。原型将包括一个独特的综合专家课程控制系统，该系统包括探索性测试，以建立适当的课程切入点，并将在适当的教学支持下，在适当的活动中提供高度个性化和高效的语言教学。该原型将在一所公立学校的一个为期12周的现场测试中使用，以评估其在自然条件下对患有自闭症和语言障碍的儿童的有效性。从属测量将包括干预前和干预后的接受和表达语言状态的测量。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this project is to develop and field-test prototype software for a research-based vocabulary development program featuring a combined lexical-cognitive approach to noun acquisition. The target population for the curriculum will be 3-8 year old children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), as well as a broad range of other children with language disorders, with language function in the range of 2-5 years. The curriculum will use a core noun vocabulary in training activities de- signed to address four interrelated goals: (a) train a basic noun vocabulary using both fast and slow mapping strategies; (b) enrich the semantic features of lexical entries by associating them with functional and/or descriptive information; (c) enhance lexical organization by using the core vocabulary in a series of categorization activities; and (d) expand paradigmatic schemas with training that associates basic level nouns with paradigmatically associated concepts. A subset of the curriculum was developed in Phase I and used in iterative testing with subjects in the target populations. It was found that even low language functioning children with ASD were able to use the prototype materials as intended and acquire or demonstrate knowledge of fast mapping, the vocabulary items, their categories, and their semantic associations. In Phase II the knowledge gained in Phase I will be used to improve and expand the curriculum into a prototype that covers 220 Target Nouns (110 associated pairs) with at least 10 superordinate noun categories. The prototype will include a unique integrated expert curriculum control system that includes probe tests to establish appropriate entry points into the curriculum, and will provide highly individualized and efficient language instruction in appropriate activities with proper instructional support. The prototype will be used in a 12-week field test in a public school distrit to evaluate its effectiveness when used by children with ASD and language impairments under natural conditions. Dependent measures will include pre- and post-intervention measures of receptive and expressive language status.