Developing Remote Delivery of Language and Cognitive Training for Use With Children With Autism: A Technological Report

Abstract

Remote delivery of language and cognitive training is becoming increasingly prevalent within special education settings, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic has challenged many providers to pivot to telehealth models. This technical article outlines a procedure for developing computerized discrete-trial training programs using commonly available software, as well as a description of how to adapt this strategy to teach chained tasks remotely. Within this article, we describe how to establish unidirectional and bidirectional remote interfaces to work directly with learners. Finally, we conducted a field test of these approaches with programs adapted from two standardized curricula: PEAK and PRISM. We conclude the article by discussing barriers and potential solutions that we observed while field-testing these procedures within special education settings in response to the wide-scale emigration to remote teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic.