Question
For a 2-year old that has recently been diagnosed with high functioning Autism, and no frustration with very limited expressive communication, would you recommend an AAC? Vocabulary is limited to Bye Bye, Mama, and occasionally Dada.
Answer
An AAC system can give a nonspeaking child many new options to control the world around him. I suggest picture communication cards first. Just 3-5 picture cards, not a language board. Have the cards out each time and match them to real objects. Example: a food the child likes, his picture, your picture, a toy he likes, an article of clothing he likes. Then play with the cards as though they were words. Use them to ''call'' the objects out. Hold up the picture of you. ''Where is Judy? Can you find Judy? Oh where is Judy?'' Point to self. ''Here's Judy.'' Tape the picture on yourself. ''Where is CHILD'S NAME? I can't find_____.'' Point to child-- ''Oh there is ______.'' Tape the picture on him if he will let you, if not just put it near him. {Show picture of toy item. ''Where is the dump truck?'' ''Oh here it is.'' Tape it on the truck. Then do the article of clothing the same way (easier if he is not wearing it.) Finally do the food item, find it and reward him with it. Go through the same pattern every time, until he can match easily and quickly and then keep adding more. Always finish with favorite food item. Keep reviewing the earlier ones as you add new ones. If AAC is an avenue for this child, you will be able to make significant progress in a short time and likely get to a receptive vocabulary with picture clues of about 50-100 words. Begin to display the cards in large pocket chart so it slowly becomes a Language Boards he can use to select items.
BIO: Dr. Judy K. Montgomery has been a speech language pathologist in schools, a director of grant for children who use AAC, a school principal and is currently a professor of special education and literacy at Chapman University in southern California. She was the president of ASHA in 1995.
Dr. Judy Montgomery
Related Courses
1https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/autism-outreach-podcast-where-to-9809Autism Outreach Podcast: Where to Start with Communication Intervention with Early LearnersIn this podcast, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) is discussed as a viable option for students who are not yet speaking, and the importance of communication initiation and early target vocabulary selection is addressed. The transition from PECS to augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) or verbal speech is also reviewed.auditory129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comAutism Outreach Podcast: Where to Start with Communication Intervention with Early LearnersIn this podcast, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) is discussed as a viable option for students who are not yet speaking, and the importance of communication initiation and early target vocabulary selection is addressed. The transition from PECS to augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) or verbal speech is also reviewed.9809OnlinePT30M
In this podcast, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) is discussed as a viable option for students who are not yet speaking, and the importance of communication initiation and early target vocabulary selection is addressed. The transition from PECS to augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) or verbal speech is also reviewed.
2https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/connecting-with-preverbal-child-to-10247Connecting with the Preverbal Child to Increase Social CommunicationChildren with autism who have minimal verbal skills present particular communication challenges. This course discusses assessment and intervention strategies to evaluate and increase intentionality of communication, as well as support social interaction and language development in this group of children.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comConnecting with the Preverbal Child to Increase Social CommunicationChildren with autism who have minimal verbal skills present particular communication challenges. This course discusses assessment and intervention strategies to evaluate and increase intentionality of communication, as well as support social interaction and language development in this group of children.10247OnlinePT60M
Children with autism who have minimal verbal skills present particular communication challenges. This course discusses assessment and intervention strategies to evaluate and increase intentionality of communication, as well as support social interaction and language development in this group of children.
3https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/understanding-and-treating-echolalia-when-10261Understanding and Treating Echolalia: When You Means IEcholalic speech can reflect a Gestalt learning style that often accompanies hyperlexia and reading comprehension difficulties. This course provides an explanation of echolalia based on this framework, and describes related characteristics common in children with autism. Intervention strategies related to language, literacy, and socialization are also discussed.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comUnderstanding and Treating Echolalia: When You Means IEcholalic speech can reflect a Gestalt learning style that often accompanies hyperlexia and reading comprehension difficulties. This course provides an explanation of echolalia based on this framework, and describes related characteristics common in children with autism. Intervention strategies related to language, literacy, and socialization are also discussed.10261OnlinePT60M
Echolalic speech can reflect a Gestalt learning style that often accompanies hyperlexia and reading comprehension difficulties. This course provides an explanation of echolalia based on this framework, and describes related characteristics common in children with autism. Intervention strategies related to language, literacy, and socialization are also discussed.
4https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/textbook-achieving-communication-competence-10517Textbook: Achieving Communication CompetenceBased on the textbook, Achieving Communication Competence, this course describes a three-step process to create an effective intervention plan for people with severe communication disabilities. Assessment of environmental factors and communication skills, implementation and modification of intervention plans, and progress reporting are discussed.textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comTextbook: Achieving Communication CompetenceBased on the textbook, Achieving Communication Competence, this course describes a three-step process to create an effective intervention plan for people with severe communication disabilities. Assessment of environmental factors and communication skills, implementation and modification of intervention plans, and progress reporting are discussed.10517OnlinePT900M
'This textbook gave me a clear and practical framework for assessing communication skills and environments, creating personalized intervention plans, and tracking progress'Read Reviews
Based on the textbook, Achieving Communication Competence, this course describes a three-step process to create an effective intervention plan for people with severe communication disabilities. Assessment of environmental factors and communication skills, implementation and modification of intervention plans, and progress reporting are discussed.
5https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/textbook-aac-in-schools-best-10519Textbook: AAC in the Schools - Best Practices for InterventionBased on the textbook AAC in the Schools: Best Practices for Intervention, this course is a comprehensive guide for systematically overcoming barriers in the school for students who use AAC. Curriculum-based assessment tools are discussed, along with methods for aligning intervention goals with general education standards, developing lesson plans, and adapting curricula for students with AAC needs.textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comTextbook: AAC in the Schools - Best Practices for InterventionBased on the textbook AAC in the Schools: Best Practices for Intervention, this course is a comprehensive guide for systematically overcoming barriers in the school for students who use AAC. Curriculum-based assessment tools are discussed, along with methods for aligning intervention goals with general education standards, developing lesson plans, and adapting curricula for students with AAC needs.10519OnlinePT480M
'I really appreciated the practical strategies and specific recommendations in the book! I loved being able to purchase the ebook to read immediately!'Read Reviews
Based on the textbook AAC in the Schools: Best Practices for Intervention, this course is a comprehensive guide for systematically overcoming barriers in the school for students who use AAC. Curriculum-based assessment tools are discussed, along with methods for aligning intervention goals with general education standards, developing lesson plans, and adapting curricula for students with AAC needs.
