Research: Augmentative and Alternative Communication to Support Receptive and Expressive Communication for People with Autism

Authored by Light, JC, Roberts B., Dimarco R., and Greiner N. in J Commun Disord., Volume 31, Issue , p. 153-178, (1998).

Article summary (posted Sep 25, 2006):

This paper describes the implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as a form of speech therapy for a 6-year old child with autism.

The American Speech Language Hearing Association describes AAC as "... an area of clinical practice that attempts to compensate (either temporarily or permanently) for the impairment and disability patterns of individuals with severe communication disorders." The AAC system includes use of sign language as well as communication boards. The boy in the case study was able to receive communication and express himself after 2 years of AAC therapy. For example, after AAC therapy, he was able to respond to questions about stories that were read to him. He was also able to follow spoken one-step instructions involving prepositions such as "on" or "under".

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You can access the original abstract and the complete paper is sometimes available for free via Google Scholar (look for entries that say "PDF" or "HTML" on the right side of the page).
augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), autism, case study, communication, hearing, language, read, sign language, speech therapy, therapy
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