Monday, July 7, 2014

Communication Difficulites For Autistic Students


     This post deals with communication barriers that are faced by many students with Autism and describes ways to help improve these skills.
     First of all, expressive language is the ability to communicate language.  This does not have to be just verbally, it can be by using sign language or even a communication device.  Writing can also, be a form of expressive language.  If a person lacks expressive language skills, they often will experience frustration and display outbursts of undesirable behaviors.  Children with autism may have difficulty developing language skills and understanding what others say to them.  They also may have difficulty communicating nonverbally, such as through hand gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions. 
     Some ways that communication skills can be improved with children with autism is by means of a symbol system in which pictures are used to convey thoughts.  Symbol system can range from picture boards or cards to sophisticated electronic devices that generate speech through the use of buttons.  Another way to improve communication is to provide opportunities for mediated peer interactions in order to role play proper communication techniques.  Finally, a speech-language pathologist should be assisting the teacher with implementing a plan to improve communication skills for a student who is having difficulty. 
     My next post will give examples of different techniques that have proven to be helpful when communicating with students with Autism.

Resources:
http://activitiestolearn.com/receptive-vs-expressive-communication/
http://www.nationalautismresources.com/autism-and-communication-difficulties.html

Video: Tips For Communication Challenges  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH5tn5nJ9ys

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