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Improving Literacy for Children Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

This study is testing whether adding a specific teaching method, called Integrated Decoding and Encoding instruction, to an existing literacy program called ALLSTAR can help children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) improve their reading. ALLSTAR uses an app and lessons to teach early literacy skills. Researchers want to see if combining these approaches leads to better reading outcomes for students with significant communication and literacy needs. You might be able to join if you are between 5 and 12 years old, use AAC, can follow two-step directions, communicate symbolically with at least 75 words, and have certain letter and word recognition skills. The study will measure success by looking at your scores on an Early Literacy Assessment after about 5 months of lessons. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This study plans to enroll 60 participants and will compare two groups using a randomized controlled trial design. Both groups will use ALLSTAR materials and receive daily instruction.
What's involved
Participants will receive daily instruction from a trained service provider using ALLSTAR materials, including an app and an implementation binder. The study completion is after 60 required lessons, which is an average of 5 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your literacy skills will be measured at the completion of the required 60 lessons, which is an average of 5 months.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07384156

Enhancing Orthographic Communication and Literacy Outcomes for AAC Learners

Not Yet Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 5–12InterventionalTreatment
Penn State University
~60 participants
Updated 2026-02-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:ALLSTAR

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Percent correct on Early Literacy Assessment (ELA)
Measured over At study completion of the required 60 lessons, an average of 5 months

Conditions

Literacy
Communication, Nonverbal

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Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Pennsylvania1

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Have complex communication needs and use AAC,
are ages 5-12,
per report can follow two-step directions,
symbolic communicators with at least 75 words on the CDI and mean length of utterance greater than 2
can match letters and words with greater than 90% accuracy,
can identify letter-sound correspondences from a field of 4 with greater than 70% accuracy
can identify common photographs used to represent words in the study (e.g., touch the picture of a hat, touch hot) with greater than 80% accuracy,
can sit to work in a minimum of 5 min. intervals
decoding or encoding at less than 40% accuracy based on parent or provider report and screening results;
demonstrate functional vision and hearing

Exclusion

• Do not have complex communication needs / can speak and do not need AAC,
Younger than 5 or older than 12 years of age,
Can not follow two-step directions,
Are not symbolic communicators with at least 75 words on the CDI and not combining at least 2 symbols
Can not match letters and words with \>90% accuracy,
Can not identify letter-sound correspondences from a field of 4 with greater than 70% accuracy
Can not identify common photographs used to represent words in the study (e.g., touch the picture of a hat, touch hot) with greater than 80% accuracy,
Can not attend to work for 5 mins.
decoding or encoding at more than 40% accuracy based on parent or provider report and screening results;
Do not have corrected or functional vision and hearing

What this trial measures

  • Percent correct on Early Literacy Assessment (ELA)At study completion of the required 60 lessons, an average of 5 months

    Early Literacy Assessment (ELA) is a 120 question measure that covers six literacy skills. It was specifically created for a population with minimal or no speech. The ELA will be used to assess progress in domains of: letter-sound correspondence, sound blending, decoding, grapheme-phoneme typing, and encoding.