Abstract
Various types of augmentative and alternative communication systems have been successfully used to enable functional communication in children with developmental disabilities. The effects of such systems on natural speech production have also been investigated, but few studies have explored the effects of specific procedures aim at inducing natural speech within interventions focused on teaching functional use of augmentative and alternative communication systems. The current study investigated the effectiveness of a behavior intervention package for teaching functional use (manding) of an augmentative and alternative communication device and production of vocal mands with three children with developmental disabilities. The findings indicated that combining augmented and the behavioral intervention package facilitated the acquisition of vocalization and augmented mands. Further, one child showed generalization of the two different communication modes across communicative partners. Limitations of the study and implications are discussed.