Help Control Communication: Handling Differences

Children with autism often have difficulties being understood or communicating their wants, needs, and emotions.

Whether your child is nonverbal or their speech unclear at times, their desire to be heard is no different than anyone else’s. However, an inability to effectively communicate with those around them — including parents, caregivers, family members, and teachers — can lead to frustration, aggressive behaviors, or other ways of acting out.

Fortunately, lots of autism communication tools exist which can help your child better express his or her thoughts, make requests, and feel connected to their community.

Effective Communication Tips for Children with ASD

Before we discuss options for tools to consider, check out these communication tips when working with your child. As you build your communication strategy, keep the following in mind:

Remember to always use your child’s name when you begin so they know you are addressing them.
Ensure they’re paying attention before making a request, providing instructions, or asking a question.
Engage them with their current hobbies, activities, or interests.
Avoid open-ended questions (Instead of, “Did you have a good day?”, you could ask “Did you have a good day or a bad day?”)
Keep questions and requests short and direct (“Tie your shoes, please,” “No elbows on the table.”)
Structure questions with offered options or choices (“Would you rather have Goldfish or Cheetos?”)
Avoid sarcasm, metaphors, hyperbole, and rhetorical questions.
Emphasize specific keywords and repeat when necessary.
Avoid placing too much emphasis on non-verbal communication signals.
Pause between sentences and questions to allow time to process what was just said.
Avoid rushing a response.
Be aware of your environment when communicating. If you’re in a noisy or crowded place in public, remember that it could affect your child’s processing.

These tips can go a long way in supporting effective communication with your child. When implemented properly, they can also help someone with ASD build confidence and the ability to adapt their communication to fit various situations.

Autism Communication Tools

Proper tools can foster a sense of independence in your child with autism.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to communication. Rather, the right communication tools and tips will depend on a wide variety of factors, including your child’s:

Fine motor skills
Image-to-item correlation and response
Decision-making abilities
Knowledge of specific subjects
Level of understanding of tone, word meanings, and body language

Here are some autism communication tools to explore:

Visual Support Tools

Visual support tools can refer to a range of tools such as photographs, flashcards, videos, symbols, drawings, miniature objects, or cue cards. Furthermore, these versatile tools can be printed, hand-drawn, or shown on a phone or tablet, making them extraordinarily adaptable to different environments and situations.

When using visual support tools, you can employ different techniques. Whether using them in combination with one another, as a means to help your child make decisions, using imagery to illustrate a point in a conversation, or as a way for your child to communicate messages, there are endless ways to incorporate visual supports into your communication strategy.

Voice Output Devices

iPads, smartphones, and other smart tablets can be used as voice output devices for children with ASD. These portable devices are great for on the go and can be customized to the individual user’s life, needs, desires, and more. Apps like GoTalkNOW and ProLoQuo2Go are wonderful options with good reviews that are downloadable from the App Store.

Nonverbal children can take advantage of these tools to communicate their wants and needs but must be tailored to their ability levels. Voice output devices may require more of an introduction and training period.

When used correctly, these technologies can be powerful tools in a larger communication strategy. However, parents and caretakers should remain vigilant in preventing against these devices from becoming distractions instead of tools.

Contact the Team at Therapeutic Pathways Today

Autism communication tools can help families communicate more effectively and support children with autism as they develop their skills, confidence, and abilities. The team at Therapeutic Pathways is here for parents and caregivers and can help implement the right communication system for your child’s needs.

Call Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 for more information.

Readiness

Your answers indicate that your child may be best treated in the Readiness program. This individualized, evidence-based program teaches young children skills they need to accelerate their learning and gain independence. Using imitation and naturalistic learning techniques, your child will develop useful skills in the areas of speech and language, cognition, and self-awareness. A program for children ages 0-3. *This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.

Foundations

Your answers indicate that your child may be best treated in the Foundations program. This program gives preschool and school-age children the structure to achieve important social, emotional, and intellectual milestones, helping them test within their peers’ range. With 25+ hours of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy per week, your child will develop social skills and better self-awareness for school and home. A program for children ages 4-7. *This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.

Breakthroughs

Your answers indicate that your child may be best treated in the Breakthroughs program. Specifically designed for children who have limited hours due to school schedules, this program removes life barriers by developing communication, social, and self-help skills. We teach your child to engage in appropriate behaviors, helping them interact with peers and develop relationships. A program for children ages 8-11.

Interactions

Your answers indicate that your child may be best treated in the Interactions program. Through guided social skills groups twice a week, this program helps improve social functioning in children ages 5 to 16. Parent or caregiver participation is crucial to this program; our certified staff provides training for successful participation.

Independence

Your answers indicate that your child may be best suited for the Independence program. Geared toward older children, this program includes more in-depth skills that will help your child function independently. Taught skills include functional communication, self-management, and financial literacy. A program for individuals ages 12-25. *This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.

Your Child My Be Suited to Multiple Programs

Independence

Strategies

Your answers indicate that your child may be best suited for the Strategies program. The most age-encompassing of our programs, the goal of Strategies is to reduce challenging behaviors and issues with aggression. These behaviors interfere with independence and community participation, so we work to mitigate those challenges and encourage safe, appropriate behavior for individuals of any age. *This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.

Strategies

Breakthroughs and/or Interactions

Your answers indicate that your child may be best suited to the Breakthroughs or Interactions programs. These programs treat similar symptoms, so Therapeutic Pathways will need to meet with you and your child before we can place them within the appropriate program.

Specifically designed for children who have limited hours due to school schedules, Breakthroughs removes life barriers by developing communication, social, and self-help skills. We teach your child to engage in appropriate behaviors, helping them interact with peers and develop relationships.

Through guided social skills groups twice a week, Interactions helps improve social functioning in children. Parent or caregiver participation is crucial to this program; our certified staff provides training for successful participation.

*This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.

Your Child My Be Suited to Multiple Programs

Breakthroughs and/or Interactions

*This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.