Interactive Shared Reading Case Study of a Student with Complex Support Needs

Authors

  • Nancy A. Quick (Author) Speech-language Pathology, Oklahoma Baptist University image/svg+xml
  • Kathryn E. Dorney (Author) Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western Carolina University image/svg+xml
  • Karen A. Erickson (Author) The Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill image/svg+xml
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.618
Shared reading approaches with school-aged students who have complex support needs (CSN) and complex communication needs (CCN) typically focus on increasing the rate and accuracy of student responses to adult prompts and questions. This descriptive mixed method case study focused on the implementation of a shared reading approach designed to increase the engagement and expressive communication of a student with CSN and CCN. Increases in the teacher’s use of interactive strategies and demonstration of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) occurred concurrently with increases in student engagement, initiations, and expressive symbolic communication. Implications for teacher practice and teacher preparation programs are discussed.

Anney, V. N. (2014). Ensuring the quality of findings of qualitative research: Looking at trustworthiness criteria. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies, 5(2), 272-281. https://www.scholarlinkinstitute.org/jeteraps/index.php

Arthur-Kelly, M., Foreman, P., Bennett, D., & Pascoe, S. (2008). Interaction, inclusion and students with profound and multiple disabilities: Towards an agenda for research and practice. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 8(3), 161–166. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-3802.2008.00114.x

Barnes, E. M., Dickinson, D. K., & Grifenhagen, J. F. (2017). The role of teachers’ comments during book reading in children’s vocabulary growth. The Journal of Educational Research, 110(5), 515–527. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2015.1134422

Benson-Goldberg, S., & Erickson, K. (2024). Reported and enacted emergent literacy instruction: Understanding young students with extensive support and complex communication needs opportunity to learn. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 44(1), 6-19. https://doi.org/10.1177/02711214241235

Benson-Goldberg, S., Geist, L., & Erickson, K. (2022). Expressive communication over time: A longitudinal analysis of the Project Core implementation model. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 45(1), 64-72. https://doi.org/10.1177/15257401221120790

Bingham, A. J., & Witkowsky, P. (2022). Deductive and inductive approaches to qualitative data analysis. In C. Vanover, P. Mihas, & J. Saldaña (Eds.), Analyzing and interpreting qualitative data: After the interview (pp. 133-146). Sage.

Bock, A. K., & Erickson, K. (2015). The influence of teacher epistemology and practice on student engagement in literacy learning. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 40(2), 138–153. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540796915591987

Boyle, S. A., McNaughton, D., & Chapin, S. E. (2019). Effects of shared reading on the early language and literacy skills of children with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 34(4), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357619838276

Brady, N. C., Bruce, S., Goldman, A., Erickson, K., Mineo, B., Ogletree, B., Paul, D., Romski, M. A., Sevcik, R., Siegel, E., Schoonover, J., Snell, M., Sylvester, L., & Wilkinson, K. (2016). Communication services and supports for individuals with severe disabilities: Guidance for assessment and intervention. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 121(2), 121–138. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-121.2.121

Browder, D., Mims, P., Spooner, F., Ahlgrim-Delzell, L., & Lee, A. (2008). Teaching elementary students with multiple disabilities to participate in shared stories. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 33(1–2), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.2511/rpsd.33.1-2.3

Browder, D., Trela, K., & Jiminez, B. (2007). Training teachers to follow a task analysis to engage middle school students with moderate and severe developmental disabilities in grade-appropriate literature. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 22(4), 206–219. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576070220040301

Burnes, J. J., & Clark, A. K. (2021). Characteristics of students who take Dynamic Learning Maps® alternate assessments: 2018-2019 (Technical Report 20-01). https://dynamiclearningmaps.org/sites/default/files/documents/publication/Characteristics_of_Students_Who_Take_DLM_AAs.pdf

Cheek, A. E., Harris, B. A., Koppenhaver, D. A., Garwood, J. D., & Laws, B. R. (2022). Technology-supported shared storybook reading in a rural classroom serving students with severe intellectual disabilities and complex communication needs. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 41(3), 140–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/87568705221075758

Cole, K., Maddox, M., Lim, Y. S., & Notari-Syverson, A. (2002). Language is the key: A program for building language and literacy. Talking and books and talking and play resource guide. Washington Research Institute. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED469671.pdf

Creswell, J. W. & Clark, V. P. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. (3rd ed.). Sage.

DeTemple, J., & Snow, C. E. (2003). Learning words from books. In A. van Kleeck, S. A. Stahl, & E. B. Bauer (Eds.), On reading books to children: Parents and teachers (pp. 271–319). Routledge.

Dorney, K. E., & Erickson, K. (2019). Transactions within a classroom-based AAC intervention with preschool students with autism spectrum disorders: A mixed-methods investigation. Exceptionality Education International, 29(2), 42–58. https://doi.org/10.5206/eei.v29i2.9401

Dorney, K., Quick, N., & Erickson, K. (2025). Speech-language services in IEPs of students with extensive support and complex communication needs. Exceptional Children. https://doi.org/10.1177/00144029251377056

Erickson, K. (2013). Who are students with significant cognitive disabilities? [Online training module]. Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment Consortium. https://www.dlmpd.com/who-are-students-with-the-most-significant-cognitive-disabilities/

Erickson, K., & Geist, L. A. (2016). The profiles of students with significant cognitive disabilities and complex communication needs. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 32(3), 187–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2016.1213312

Erickson, K., & Koppenhaver, D. A. (2020). Comprehensive literacy for all: Teaching students with significant disabilities to read and write. Paul H. Brookes.

Erickson, K., Geist, L., Hatch, P., & Quick, N. (2021). The challenge of symbolic communication for school-aged students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. In B. Ogletree (Ed.), Augmentative and alternative communication: Challenges and solutions (pp. 253–282). Plural Publishing.

Ezell, H. K., & Justice, L. M. (2005). Shared storybook reading: Building young children’s language and emergent literacy skills. Paul H. Brookes.

Fleury, V. P., & Schwartz, I. S. (2017). A modified dialogic reading intervention for preschool children with autism spectrum disorder. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 37(1), 16–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121416637597

Geist, L., Erickson, K. A., Greer, C., & Hatch, P. (2020). Enhancing classroom-based communication instruction for students with significant disabilities and limited language. Exceptionality Education International, 30(1), 42–54. https://doi.org/10.5206/eei.v30i1.10914

Hancock, D. R., & Algozzine, B. (2017). Doing case study research: A practical guide for beginning researchers. Teachers College Press.

Hudson, M. E., & Browder, D. (2014). Improving listening comprehension responses for students with moderate intellectual disability during literacy class. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 39(1), 11–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540796914534634

Hudson, M. E., & Test, D. W. (2011). Evaluating the evidence base of shared story reading to promote literacy for students with extensive support needs. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 36(1-2), 34–45. https://doi.org/10.2511/rpsd.36.1-2.34

Hunt, P., Farron-Davis, F., Beckstead, S., Curtis, D., & Goetz, L. (1994). Evaluating the effects of placement of students with severe disabilities in general education versus special classes. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 19(3), 200–214. https://doi.org/10.1177/154079699401900308

Justice, L. M., Kaderavek, J. N., Fan, X., Sofka, A., & Hunt, A. (2009). Accelerating preschoolers’ early literacy development through classroom-based teacher-child storybook reading and explicit print referencing. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in the Schools, 40(1), 67–85. https://doi.org/10.1044/0161-1461(2008/07-0098)

Kaderavek, J. N., & Rabidoux, P. (2004). Interactive to independent literacy: A model for designing literacy goals for children with atypical communication. Reading and Writing Quarterly, 20(3), 237–260. https://doi.org/10.1080/10573560490429050

Kleinert, H. L., Browder, D. M., & Towles-Reeves, E. A. (2009). Models of cognition for students with significant cognitive disabilities: Implications for assessment. Review of Educational Research, 79(1), 301–326. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654308326160

Kurth, J. A., Born, K., & Love, H. (2016). Ecobehavioral characteristics of self-contained high school classrooms for students with severe cognitive disability. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 41(4), 227–243. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540796916661492

Landry, S. H., Zucker, T. A., Williams, J. M., Merz, E. C., Guttentag, C. L., & Taylor, H. B. (2017). Improving school readiness of high-risk preschoolers: Combining high quality instructional strategies with responsive training for teachers and parents. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 40(3), 38–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2016.12.001

Light, J. C., & McNaughton, D. B. (2020). Literacy intervention for individuals with complex communication needs. In D. R. Beukelman & J. C. Light (Eds.), Augmentative and alternative communication: Supporting children and adults with complex communication needs (5th ed., pp. 427–481). Paul H. Brookes.

Love, H. R., Cook, B. G., & Cook, L. (2022). Mixed-methods approaches in special education research. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 37(4), 314–323. https://doi.org/10.1111/ldrp.12295

Mucchetti, C. A. (2013). Adapted shared reading at school for minimally verbal students with autism. Autism, 17(3), 358–372. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361312470495

Ogletree, B. T., & Pierce, H. K. (2010). AAC for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities: Ideas for nonsymbolic communicators. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 22, 273–287. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-009-9177-1

O’Neill, T., Light, J., & Pope, L. (2018). Effects of interventions that include aided augmentative and alternative communication input on the communication of individuals with complex communication needs: A meta-analysis. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 61(7), 1743–1765. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_JSLHR-L-17-0132

Pennington, R. C., Walker, V. L., & Tapp, M. C. (2021). Teacher preparation in communication instruction for students with extensive support needs. Teacher Education and Special Education, 44(3), 239–254. https://doi.org/10.1177/0888406420978606

Quick, N. A., & Erickson, K. A. (2024). Changing teacher practices and perceptions and improving student communication outcomes through shared reading. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 43(4), 176-190. https://doi.org/10.1177/87568705241286894

Romski, M. A., & Sevcik, R. A. (1996). Breaking the speech barrier: Language development through augmented means. Paul H. Brookes.

Rowland, C. (2004). Communication Matrix. Oregon Health & Science University, Design to Learn Projects. https://communicationmatrix.org/

Rude, H., & Miller, K. J. (2018). Policy challenges and opportunities for rural special education. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 37(1), 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/8756870517748662

Ruppar, A. L., Dymond, S. K., & Gaffney, J. S. (2011). Teachers’ perspectives on literacy instruction for students with severe disabilities who use augmentative and alternative communication. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 36(3-4), 100-111. https://doi.org/10.2511/027494811800824435

Skotko, B. G., Koppenhaver, D. A., & Erickson, K. A. (2004). Parent reading behaviors and communication outcomes in girls with Rett syndrome. Exceptional Children, 70(2), 145–166. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290407000202

Spooner, F., Ahlgrim-Delzell, L., Kemp-Inman, A., & Wood, L. A. (2014). Using an iPad2® with systematic instruction to teach shared stories for elementary-aged students with autism. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 39(1), 30–46. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540796914534631

Staub, D., & Hunt, P. (1993). The effects of social interaction training on high school peer tutors of schoolmates with severe disabilities. Exceptional Children, 60(1), 41–57. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440299306000105

Toews, S. G., McQueston, J., & Kurth, J. A. (2021). Evaluation of the evidence base for shared reading to support literacy skill development for students with extensive support needs. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 46(2), 77–93. https://doi.org/10.1177/15407969211008531

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, What Works Clearinghouse. (2015, April). Early childhood education intervention report: Shared book reading. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED555654.pdf

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.

Yin, R. K. (2014). Case study research: Design and methods (Vol. 5). Sage.

Yoder, P. J., Warren, S. F., Kim, K., & Gazdag, G. E. (1994). Facilitating prelinguistic communication skills in young children with developmental delay II: Systematic replication and extension. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 37(4), 841–851. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.3704.841

There are 53 references in total.
Quick, N. A., Dorney, K. E., & Erickson, K. A. (2026). Interactive Shared Reading Case Study of a Student with Complex Support Needs. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 21(1), 59-83. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.618

Article Information

  • Article Type Articles
  • Submitted December 23, 2025
  • Published February 11, 2026
  • Issue Spring/Summer 2026
  • Section Articles
  • File Downloads 0
  • Abstract Views 0
  • Altmetrics
  • Share
Download data is not yet available.