Table 3.

Definitions of coded communication acts.

Act	Definition
Communication acts
Focus child	Any intentional communication act directed to the peer through body orientation or eye gaze using speech, speech-generating device (SGD), gestures, vocalizations, or a combination of speech + SGD.
	Speech: minimum requirements: (a) one consonant and one vowel combination and (b) approximation of a word includes one consonant matching placement in the intended word; may include requests, comments, or acts to gain attention.
	SGD: intentional push of button(s) on SGD to communicate to peer.
	Gesture: use of conventional gesture (e.g., gives, points, or waves) to communicate.
	Vocalization: must contain a recognizable vowel; may contain a consonant sound; does not include cries, lip smacks, humming, or whining; repeats the last word (or phrase) of the peer's utterance (i.e., immediate echolalia); and unintelligible speech.
Peer	Any intentional communication act directed to the child with autism spectrum disorder through body orientation or eye gaze using speech, the iPad as SGD, gestures, vocalizations, or a combination of speech and SGD use (as defined above).
Initiation and response acts
Initiation (FI or PI)	Child initiates by communicating using speech, SGD, gestures, or vocalizations as described above. A new initiation is coded if a minimum of 3 s passed after the last communication act (by child or peer). Thus, multiple FIs or PIs can be coded when a minimum of 3 s separates each initiation.
Response (FR or PR)	Child responds to another child's initiation or a child's response by communicating using speech, SGD, gestures, or vocalizations within 3 s of a previous initiation. Multiple FR or PR acts may occur if within 3 s of previous focus child or peer act.
Other (OT)	Verbal or physical behaviors that disrupt the interaction (e.g., yelling, crying, or throwing toys); noninteractive, delayed echolalia that does not relate to the immediate context; perseverative behaviors deemed to be self-stimulatory (e.g., constant humming or scripts) and that take peer's attention away from the activity.

Note. FI = focus initiation, PI = peer initiation, FR = focus response, PR = peer response.