溝通是人與人之間一種雙向交流、動態的社會互動過程。在發展遲緩兒諸多的發展障礙中,最常見首推「語言」問題。圖片兌換溝通系統(Picturing Exchange Communication System)是一種強調以功能性及系統性的溝通方式,強調類化的原則,在不同階段的訓練,以幼兒要求喜好的物品或項目來訂定溝通行為的目標,能有效教導身心障礙幼兒與他人溝通,是一種有效的語言溝通訓練工具。本研究主要目的是探討「圖片兌換溝通系統」教學於發展遲緩幼兒之初步成效。研究對象為唐氏症幼兒,以行動研究方法進行,研究設計採用類似單一受試實驗設計(single subject design)中的「跨行為多試探」實驗設計(multiple probe design across behavior)。使用數位攝影機拍攝記錄基線期、處理期、維持期及類化期之被動口語反應、被動非口語反應、主動口語表達與主動非口語表達的次數。研究結果發現,在目視法資料分析中顯示「圖片兌換溝通系統」之整體教學效果,受試者溝通行為的反應增加,其中以「主動非口語表達」的進步情形最為顯著,「被動非口語反應」的進步最少;此外,適當的溝通行為有增加的傾向,其中以促進「主動非口語表達」適當性的教學效果最為顯著。在「圖片兌換溝通系統」教學的過程中有許多情境應加以考量,例如教學環境的安排、教學者的經驗與知能、師生及同儕互動、跨個案之多基線設計及融合環境的安排等。本研究結果及建議可提供國內學前階段教師及家長在設計發展遲緩幼兒溝通訓練及教學問題時之參考。
Communication is a signaling behavior that occurs in a social interactional process and that provides a way to create shared understandings or meanings between persons. This study was an exploratory study to describe the effectiveness of instruction for one preschool child with Down's syndrome, utilizing ”Picture Exchange Communication System” (PECS) as the tool to improve the child communication skills. An action study design which implement a single-subject experimental study of multiple probe design across behaviors was used to evaluate the effectiveness of PECS. The participant was a 4.5 years old boy with multiple disabilities whose abilities on receptive and expressive languages were limited. Using the V8 video to record the communication skills including spontaneous/passive, verbal/nonverbal, and appropriate/inappropriate communication behaviors. The data obtained were statistically analyzed by visual inspection techniques. Results showed that the participant made gains in communication skills, particularly significant in the ”spontaneous nonverbal expressions”, and also be improved for his behavioral appropriateness. The instructional implication is that further explication of the effect of inclusive environmental arrangement towards making social interaction opportunities. A replication crossing subjects study design is needed to examine the effectiveness of PECS for the young children with special needs.