Communication Supports for Students with ASD by Sarah Devon

Picture Exchange Communication System

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-14 00:41:14 UTC

This augmentative alternative communication approach is known as PECS. This is a picture exchange communication system. It is used as an instructional approach for ABA therapy. Students will exchange symbols in order to get something in return. It starts with one symbol and leads up to more to create a phrase. (Ganz, J.B., & et al., 2018).

Tobii Dynavox

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-14 00:51:49 UTC

Tobii Dynavox is a device made to help students communicate. It comes in different forms such as the app, the device, or even eye trackers. It is based on touch or eye tracking. This is a high-tech device that can be associated with PECS. Some pictures are the same, and some may differ slightly. In the classroom, this can be used throughout the day in all areas for communication. They have different colors for certain words such as adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs, etc. Students can answer questions with answers as simple as 'yes', or 'no'. They can even create a sentence.

Proloquo2Go

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-14 00:52:40 UTC

Proloquo2go was made to be placed on a tablet. It is an application you can download. It is customizable and can be changed based on the students' needs. The board can show as many or as little as you want. It can be used in the classroom to help students communicate in everyday activities. It also will go from class to class and can even be used at home.

Self Talk

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-14 15:32:41 UTC

This is a support to help students understand speech. In self-talk, you want to let students you are working with hear you talk about what YOU are doing. This can be implemented by saying things during a coloring activity like, "I'm coloring.", and "Coloring picture". You are making sure words are going with your actions to let students know what you are doing and pick up on those words. These can be implemented into any activity the student is doing. Things like the restroom, brushing their teeth, eating dinner, or even riding in the car. (Wedoff, 2020).

Parallel Talk

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-14 15:33:11 UTC

When it comes to parallel talk, you are describing exactly what someone is doing. This is a part of everyday activities like, "walking to school", 'putting on clothing", or even "using the restroom". It is describing the action that is happening. It is better to make comments and not ask questions when using parallel talk. For proper implementation in the classroom, this can be used for phrases like, "coloring the picture", 'drinking your water", and "you're following directions". (Wedoff, 2020).

Modeling

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-14 15:33:46 UTC

In modeling, the adult is going to let the student know what they actually should be saying. This can be done by repetition and talking slowly. An example of this would be if a child is saying a word wrong, like red and firetruck. For instance they may say, "I like that wed tiretruck." The teacher would repeat and say, "Yes, I like that RED FIRETRUCK too." really emphasizing the word red and firetruck. (National Council for Special Education, n.d.)

Imitation(mimicking/copying)

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-14 15:34:25 UTC

Imitation is one of the building blocks of speech sounds. There are different levels of imitation. The levels start with least complex and move to most complex. Least complex being imitation of objects like throwing a ball or jumping up and down. Then, the highest would be imitation of short phrases or sentences. Having this hierarchy lets you know what will come next when working on speech. Imitation is best done through play. For instance, dancing, clapping, or even animal sounds. (Connect the Dots, n.d.). This works ona students receptive language. It can be done throughout the day at home or in the classroom. Playing alongside your child and even imitating the sounds gets them to understand and imitate as well.

Visuals

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-14 15:35:11 UTC

Visual supports are when objects, visual items, or pictures are used to help communicate. It is important to decide what visual is needed and why it is needed. Visuals are something that helps with transitions, they are permanent, can be moved from one environment to the other, and even help students express their wants and needs. It is important to be consistent in the visual approach. THis can be used in the classroom as a first/then chart, a routine chart for the day, or even a daily schedule.

https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Using-Visuals-to-Support-Communication.pdf

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-14 18:08:07 UTC

Wedoff, K. (2020). Parallel and self-talk. Northern Illinois University. https://www.chhs.niu.edu/clinics/_pdf/slp-parallel-self-talk.pdf

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-14 19:12:39 UTC

National Council for Special Education. (n.d.) Modelling and recasting: Supporting speech and/or language development. https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Modelling-and-Recasting-to-Support-Speech-and-Language.pdf

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-14 20:49:42 UTC

Connect the Dots Pediatric Therapy. (n.d.). Benefits of imitation in speech. https://ctdpediatrictherapy.com/benefits-of-imitation/#:~:text=Imitation%2C%20sometimes%20referred%20to%20as,sounds%20and%20grow%20their%20vocabulary.

Visual Scene Displays

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-15 23:53:19 UTC

These are pictures or photographs that are virtual. They show a photo representing a place, activity, or situation. If a student presses the words or photos in this particular photo from our textbook, it will say the person's name or HAPPY BIRTHDAY. These are beneficial to give a student a voice in personalized situations. VSDs are not the same as an AAC device, as a phrase is spoken not just one word. (Ganz, J.B., & et al., 2018). This can be used in social settings, or even in the classroom. It would be very beneficial for specials like art. Students can push a paintbrush and it will say things like, "I need a paintbrush, please."

https://www.leadersproject.org/2014/01/15/contemporary-approaches-to-intervention-visual-scene-displays-vsd/

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-16 00:09:55 UTC

Ganz, J. B., &; Simpson, R. L. (2018). Interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and complex communication needs. Brookes Publishing.

Aided Language Modeling

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-16 00:54:27 UTC

Aided language modeling is used alongside AAC devices. It is based on watching and interacting alongside communicative partners. The communicator models using the symbols, and then allows the student with ASD to use the communication during their everyday activities. (Ganz, J.B., & et al., 2018). When used in class, the speech pathologist may help a student with the daily routine of greeting others. For instance, the speech pathologist may push the button that says, "Good morning" and say, when we see someone come into the classroom, we can say "Good morning". Showing the appropriate response and modeling of interacting with others in the morning as they arrive to class.

Success Measures

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-16 02:36:10 UTC

Success in speech can look like many things, but you want to see students growing in their language development. When implementing the communication supports and devices, you can assess improvement in many ways. First, it is important that you give a thorough assessment that includes trial and error to see which symbols are going to be the most beneficial. You want to introduce these symbols slowly and add as you go in order to help students become more successful. Most speech goals are put in place by a speech pathologist and students are trialed weekly. There are many different forms of data tracking. They are listed in the link above.

SAMPLE IEP GOAL

sarahdevon1 — 2023-11-16 02:38:51 UTC

During a selected task, given faded modeling and wait time, the student will use an AAC device to request/comment/answer questions in 4 of 5 opportunities across 3 assessed trials as measured by therapist checklists by the end of the IEP.

This is measured by a checklist, by a speech pathologist. The students will master this goal when they can can answer in 4 out of 5 opportunities over 3 trials.