An evaluation of a multi‐component intervention for loud speech among children with autism spectrum disorder
A tiny rule-DR-feedback bundle quickly turned down loud speech in three autistic kids.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Three children with autism who often spoke too loudly got a quick three-part package.
The package was simple: state the volume rule, praise quiet voice, and give instant in-vivo feedback.
A multiple-baseline design showed when each child started the package.
What they found
Loud speech dropped for every child once the package began.
The low volume held steady across sessions.
How this fits with other research
Halbur et al. (2022) used the same DR design to cut face-touching in autistic kids. Both studies show a short DR package can trim a repetitive topography.
Shillingsburg et al. (2020) also paired DR with other pieces, but they aimed to grow longer sentences, not lower volume. Together the papers say DR is flexible: it can add or subtract communication features.
Johnson et al. (2021) reviewed AAC and speech in autism. They found AAC helps speech emerge; Spinks et al. now show a brief DR plan can polish speech volume after it emerges. The two studies target different stages, so they fit like puzzle pieces.
Why it matters
You can shrink loud speech in minutes with items you already have: a rule, praise, and on-the-spot feedback. No extra gadgets or long protocols. Try it during play, table work, or group time and watch the room calm down.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
AbstractIdiosyncratic patterns of speech are common among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can greatly affect their ability to participate successfully in various social and educational settings. We evaluated a treatment package with three children with ASD and a history of loud speech. A multiple baseline across participants design and a decibel meter application were used to evaluate whether the multi‐component intervention (i.e., a rule, differential reinforcement, and in vivo feedback) would effectively reduce participants' rates of loud speech. The results showed that the intervention decreased rates of loud speech for all participants. Results are discussed in terms of (a) their extension of the literature regarding speech prosody in ASD by demonstrating an effective intervention for loud speech, (b) clinical implications, and (c) potential future research regarding this nuanced, yet crucial aspect of social communication, including appropriate methods for addressing loud speech in individuals with ASD.
Behavioral Interventions, 2023 · doi:10.1002/bin.1931