Rising to New Heights of Communication and Learning for Children with Autism

by Carol L. Spears

Children with pervasive developmental disorders often do not learn from conventional methods, which can result in social isolation, behavior problems, limitations in communication, and slow academic growth. Greater integration into home and school activities, improved behavior and academic success can be achieved using alternative-augmentative communication (AAC), and this book explains exactly how to make it happen. Exploring the various communication and intervention options available and offering straightforward techniques and strategies for using them effectively, this book clearly explains everything families, teachers, therapists and other professionals need to know in order to improve a child's communication, behavior, social and academic skills. Chapters follow a consistent, user-friendly format, answering the questions Who, What, Why, How, Where and When about every technique. This book will be essential reading for anyone looking to improve social interaction between children with pervasive developmental disorders and those around them.

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Sabrina]

Worth reading as a quick but thorough introduction to alternative communication methods for individuals with poor or non existant verbal communication skills.

- Short and concise - only 121 proper pages of reading
- Clear, repetitive layout - easy to find information
- Useful examples, photos (black and white) and diagrams

The book is very accessible and written in an easy to understand way - any techincal 'jargon' or acronyms are explained and expanded upon.

The systems and strategies are suggested with the student in mind having an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), I feel the strategies and suggestions would be relevant for any individual with a communication impairment or difficulty (for example cerebral palsey or muscular dystrophy - two examples named in the book)

Topics Covered:

- Speech Generating Devices (SGDs)
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
- Symbolic Language Systems
- Visual Supports
- Social StoriesTM
- Structured Environments
- Resources

The book is very easy to read with comfortable text size, easy to read presentation and user friendly layout.

Each chapter is broken down into sub-sections of:

- Who (...is the system/strategy for?)
- what (... is the system/strategy - purpose/objective)
- Why (... should it be used? Benefits?)
- How (... it should be used - how to set up, implement)
- When (... should it be used?)
- Where (...to find additional information/support)

There are also additional notes/appendicies at the end of the book.

I have worked in a school for children and young adults with profound autism (and severe communication difficulties) for a few months now and still learnt many new things from this book, whilst other areas were more fully clarified.

Worth a read if you're interested in alternative communication systems for individuals with barriers to communication!