Comprehension – visual supports Motor – Environmental control Expression – low/no tech partner assisted solutions

1. Comprehension – visual supports

2. Motor– Environmental control

3. Expression– low/no tech partner assisted solutions– Voice Output Communication Aides (VOCA)

4. Social/Participation – Philosophy woven throughout

5. Working Memory

1. Comprehension: visual supportsto support attention, comprehension, memory

• quick and dirty solutions• more durable ones that evolve over time

1 Comprehension: Visual Supports

• Time timer

• Countdowns

1 Comprehension: Visual Supports

• Schedules:

Developing Visual Schedules: In general, schedules should be arranged from a "top-to-bottom" or "left-to-right" format, including a method for the student to manipulate the schedule to indicate that an activity is finished or "all done" .

Visual Schedules• Definition: A daily visual schedule is a critical component in a structured environment. A visual schedule will tell the student with autism what activities will occur and in what sequence.

• Visual schedules are important for people with autism because they:– Help address the person's difficulty with sequential memory and

organization of time.– Assist person with language comprehension problems to understand what

is expected of them.– Lessen the anxiety level of people with autism, and thus reduce the

possible occurrence of challenging behaviors, by providing the structure for the student to organize and predict daily and weekly events. Schedules clarify that activities happen within a specific time period (e.g., understanding that "break time" is coming, but after "work time"), and also alert the student to any changes that might occur.

– Assist the student in transitioning independently between activities and environments by telling them where they are to go next . Visual schedules can be used in all environments (e.g., classroom, gym, Occupational Therapy, Speech/Language Therapy, home, Sunday School, etc.).

1 Comprehension: Visual Supports

• Schedules (first then):

First Then

• Are based on a "first-then" strategy; that is, "firstyou do ___, then you do ___", rather than an "if-then" approach (i.e., "if you do ___, then you can do___"). This first-then strategy allows the "first" expectation (whether a task, activity or assignment) to be modified, as needed. The modification is in terms of task completion and amount of prompting, in order to accommodate the student's daily fluctuations in his ability to process in-coming information. Then he can move on to his next visually scheduled task/activity.

A visual schedule for a student with autism must be directly taught and consistently used.

Visual schedules should not be considered as "crutches" for students with autism, from which they should gradually be "weaned". Instead, these individual visual schedules should be considered as "prosthetic" or "assistive tech" devices.

For the student with autism, the consistent use of a visual schedule is an extremely important skill. It has the potential to increase independent functioning throughout his life - at school, home and community.

1 Comprehension: Visual Supports

• calendars

1 Comprehension: Visual Supports

• calendars

1 Comprehension: Visual Supports

• Task boards:

1 Comprehension: Visual Supports

• rules reminders:

1 Comprehension: Visual Supports

1 Comprehension: Visual Supports

Construction options:–taped down “static” –velcro–rings–taped hinges

2 Motor: Environmental control

• primarily to control objects (toys, blenders...)

• secondarily for social interaction

2. Motor: Environmental Control

• Some product’s design is inherently easier and/or motivating

Leapfrog ABC ball String FX apple/potato peeler

2. Motor: Environmental Control

• Basic tools:– Powerlink Control Unit– Switches– Battery adaptors– Switch Latch and Timer

battery adapter

Powerlink control unit Jellybean switch

switch latch timer

2. Motor: Environmental Control

A - Wall plug-ins

2. Motor: Environmental Control

B - battery operated

2. Motor: Environmental Control

• Fancy options:

2. Motor: Environmental Control

Computer:• only briefly touch upon computers because:– so many programs/options– of options, computer doesn’t tend to be as

socially engaging– tangible solutions (e.g., paper, objects that can

be touched and manipulated) tend to encourage communication partners to interact and problem solve more

2. Motor: Environmental Control

Computer:• Cause effect software (frogger, etc.)• Communication software• Assistance with writing• Art software

3. Expression: Partner assisted solutions

• strong social interaction component

Voice Output Communication Aides (VOCA)• primarily for social interaction• can also be used to “control” environment via

people

3 Expression: partner assisted

most communication has elements of partner assistance (e.g., conversations have lots of questions, clarification, guessing... compared to lectures & news casting)

• How can we provide similar assistance to children with special needs in a way that works for them?

3 Expression: partner assisted

• choices: – objects– pictures– gestures– written choice communication

3 Expression: partner assisted

• Topic Boards

3 Expression: partner assisted

• Topic Boards hints:

– Questions and clues for both partners

– Include at least one thing that a person not familiar with the topic could comment on (e.g., did you see the eclipse? )

3 Expression: partner assisted

• Conversation books– “all about me” – Favorite topics: astronomy to favorite

sound effects–A student who may not use symbols to

request, might for social interaction – random selections are okay if support

interaction!

3 Expression: partner assisted

• “Transition books” – photo highlights of key information

• safety – seizures, health protocols• highlighting independent skills (walking, eating)• Favorite joint activities (e.g., silly game/routine)

Creating solutions, changing lives.

1 BIGmack/LITTLEmack – single message:

1. request help (help please)2. asking for comments (what do you

think?)3. share a comment (cool!)4. “my turn”5. “what’s next”

3 Expression: VOCA

3 Expression: VOCA

• 2 Step-by-Step– series of messages:

1. news/reporting (e.g., home-school news)2. giving directions during projects (read recipe)3. read aloud during story book time4. errands/missions (“where’s the stapler?”)5. leading games (e.g., Simon Says, 500, Mr.

Wolf etc.)6. general chat/participation (“Mom, what are

you doing?” particularly for kids with decreased vision or mobility)

3 Expression: VOCA• 2 Step-by-Step– series of messages:

» Typically if you’re doing it right you’re re-recording all the time

» Hint: 1st messages throwaway messages (e.g., excuse me; I’m looking for flour; What aisle is flour in?; Where’s the flour?;) if you think the person will need the extra time to acquaint him/herself with the sound of the device

» Use white out to mark optimal volume on back

» Repeat function – 1 click with back button

» Purpose –to successfully participate by reducing demands

3 Expression: VOCA3 Talking boxes with overlays:

+ can activate messages in any order - or randomly+ can easily repeat any message

• directions (cooking, arts project)• books – repeated lines• games - (comments, asking for turns, requests...)• conversation

3 Expression: VOCA4 Talking photo album:• creating personal stories

all about the child• social stories • recipes/directions• social interaction:

– fill pages with photos ofclassmates/friends etc.

– Kid can hand book topeer with note askingto record a message on theirpage

4. Social/Participation:

Philosophy woven throughout

• Making situations easier for kids to communicate by working on new skills in familiar setting or with previously mastered skills

• Making situations easier for communication partners: increase the number and quality of interactions the child experiences.

• Using the child’s personal motivation (e.g., a love of sound, lights, social interaction, order, movement, repetition) to drive parts of an interaction

Low tech: communication notebook

Simple digitized

Dedicated voice output devices

Personal-computer based voice output systems

Off -the -shelf devices with specialized software