Question
How do you choose which communication modality to use for children with ASD?
Answer
This is where the behavioral observation that is part of your assessment is really going to help you. If you have someone that really doesn't like to be touched, especially around their hands, then sign language probably isn't the first place you are going to go. So you are going to go to your picture-based type of communication. I have kids who are more movers and shakers and don't like to be in one space. They like to be moving around so we are going to use a communication modality, such as PECS, because we want the kids to be more independent and walking to someplace to get what they need and then move back. In terms of verbal speech, there are kids who engage in echolalia and we would want to focus on verbal speech to see if we can get that to develop.
Lynn Dudek is the Autism Services and Medical Rehabilitation Manager at Easter Seals Central and South East Ohio as well as the owner of the private practice ASDSLP. She is a speech-language pathologist who has specialized in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders for over 17 years. Over the years, Lynn has presented at the local, state, and national levels on various topics regarding autism, communication, and assessment.
Lynn Dudek, M.A.,CCC-SLP
Related Courses
1https://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.
2https://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.
3https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/practical-treatment-approach-for-students-9499A Practical Treatment Approach for Students with Social Communication Disorders in Schools, Part 1This is Part 1 of a two-part series. This course helped SLPs build a repertoire of social communication intervention strategies and improve functional outcomes with evidence-based treatment plans for students Pre-K to 6th grade. Individual case studies will demonstrate how social communication disorders present in a variety of diagnostic categories. Practical tools for treatment from the therapy room to the classroom - including collaboration with other professionals - will be discussed.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comA Practical Treatment Approach for Students with Social Communication Disorders in Schools, Part 1This is Part 1 of a two-part series. This course helped SLPs build a repertoire of social communication intervention strategies and improve functional outcomes with evidence-based treatment plans for students Pre-K to 6th grade. Individual case studies will demonstrate how social communication disorders present in a variety of diagnostic categories. Practical tools for treatment from the therapy room to the classroom - including collaboration with other professionals - will be discussed.9499OnlinePT60M
This is Part 1 of a two-part series. This course helped SLPs build a repertoire of social communication intervention strategies and improve functional outcomes with evidence-based treatment plans for students Pre-K to 6th grade. Individual case studies will demonstrate how social communication disorders present in a variety of diagnostic categories. Practical tools for treatment from the therapy room to the classroom - including collaboration with other professionals - will be discussed.
4https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/autism-neurodiversity-1033757Autism and NeurodiversityThis course will review the concept of neurodiversity as it pertains to autism spectrum disorder, clarifying aspects of terminology, framework, and beliefs and comparing this model with the medical model.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comAutism and NeurodiversityThis course will review the concept of neurodiversity as it pertains to autism spectrum disorder, clarifying aspects of terminology, framework, and beliefs and comparing this model with the medical model.1033757OnlinePT60M
This course will review the concept of neurodiversity as it pertains to autism spectrum disorder, clarifying aspects of terminology, framework, and beliefs and comparing this model with the medical model.
5https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/practical-treatment-approach-for-students-9515A Practical Treatment Approach for Students with Social Communication Disorders in Schools, Part 2This Part 2 of a 2-part series focused on functional social communication intervention for grades 7 thru 12 into adulthood. Treatment plans and case studies are presented to highlight techniques for engaging teens & adults in therapy, tips for extending social communication strategies into the classroom, and methods for helping adults overcome social anxiety.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comA Practical Treatment Approach for Students with Social Communication Disorders in Schools, Part 2This Part 2 of a 2-part series focused on functional social communication intervention for grades 7 thru 12 into adulthood. Treatment plans and case studies are presented to highlight techniques for engaging teens & adults in therapy, tips for extending social communication strategies into the classroom, and methods for helping adults overcome social anxiety.9515OnlinePT60M
This Part 2 of a 2-part series focused on functional social communication intervention for grades 7 thru 12 into adulthood. Treatment plans and case studies are presented to highlight techniques for engaging teens & adults in therapy, tips for extending social communication strategies into the classroom, and methods for helping adults overcome social anxiety.
