Many
autistic children and adults have speech problems. Speech
problems include articulation disorders, voice production, or
fluency. These problems can include Aphasia,
Dysphasia, and Apraxia. Language
goals should be individualized and can include learning to use
various alternative communication systems or specific
communication strategies. Alternative
communication strategies may including learning to use the
Picture Exchange System (PECs), sign language or an Augmentative
& Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices. Language
strategies vary greatly from basic muscle strengthening to more
specialized skills. Oral motor skills are essentially to
strengthen oral muscles which is sometimes needed for autistic
children. Receptive and expressive language, verbal
behavior, auditory processing, social language, visual
strategies, verbal reasoning (Wh questions), sequencing,
teaching literalness, generalizing, following directions,
scripting, understanding
and using nonverbal communication, using
verbalizations to express themselves, pragmatic language, i.e.
beginning and ending conversations, or topic maintenance are
other skills that should be worked on with a speech
therapist. Applied
Behavior Analysis (ABA) and discrete trials are still my
favorite therapy. My son speaks only rarely, but one day
during a session he said 12 different words or phrases.
Unfortunately, we lost the therapy time with the Autism
Consultant. Quality, including timing of the trials, is
very important when it comes to ABA. Great
Ideas for Teaching is a catalog for Speech- Language
Pathology and Related Communication Disorders. They have
books, information and curriculums to assist with assessments,
auditory processing, Autism, expressive language, oral motor
therapy, receptive language, etc. This company sells
proactive materials which can help to give you ideas for
communication goals! P.O.
box 444 Wrightsville
Beach, NC 28480 (910)
256-4494 Phone (910)
256-4493 Fax info@greatideasforteaching.com
e-mail
There are a few great (and free) articles and
specific communication ideas located at the TEACCH
website.
Autism
E-News Autism
and Communication Article by
Karen Berlin, M. Ed., and Vicky G. Spencer, Ph.D. http://www.ttac.odu.edu/ENewsArchives/Autism/autism_e_January_2004.htm
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