Vocabulary Acquisition Through Fast Mapping In Children With Autism

Abstract

Fast mapping is a cognitive process that facilitates acquisition of new vocabulary
through brief exposures to words and their referents. Research has shown that typically
developing children and those with Down syndrome, specific language impairment, or
mental impairment acquire new vocabulary through fast mapping, although with different
levels of success. This study explored the effectiveness of fast mapping to facilitate
vocabulary acquisition in children with autism. A multiple baseline across subjects
design was employed with four children with autism. After a pre-test to determine which
food and animal objects were unfamiliar to each subject, a series of fast mapping trials
was presented. Each trial involved presentation of one unfamiliar and two familiar
objects. Probes were conducted for all items that had been fast mapped at intervals of
one hour and one day following the last treatment trial to evaluate retention. Data were
analyzed though the application of visual inspection and descriptive statistics. Treatment
results indicated that fast mapping was an effective method to facilitate vocabulary
acquisition across all four children with autism.

Date of Award	2011
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Tina K. Veale (Supervisor)