Using a Video Visual Scene Display Application to Improve Communication for Individuals with Autism Disorder

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) describes different ways to communicate that supplement or compensate for the impairment of individuals with complex communication needs. AAC can utilize computerized devices, with visual scene display (VSD) or video visual scene display (VVSD) as a communication mode. Recent literature insufficiently tackles the differences between the two modes of presentation. To address this issue, we developed a user-friendly application that can display both video clips and photographs with embedded hotspots. The efficiency of VSD vs. VVSD was evaluated by measuring the perceptions and the performance of adults with ASD during conversation. Findings showed that VVSD has advantages over VSD in improving communication. However, further research with a larger sample size is required.