State of the Science and Future Directions for Communication Interventions for People with ASD

Abstract

This presentation highlights key practices in communication interventions that are supported by research. In particular, augmentative and alternative communication and the use of mobile technologies are discussed. The presenter is an experienced general and special education classroom teacher, consultant, college instructor, and applied researcher, and is a parent of an adolescent with disabilities. She provides an overview of the current state of the art in communication interventions, summarizing the research to date, with examples of more in depth research questions relevant to the use of mobile tech displays and choice in modes of communication technology, as well as a focus on addressing a range of communication skills and functions beyond requesting and implementation of communication interventions across natural contexts. Further, participants will learn about particular communication “interventions” that should be avoided due to poor or harmful outcomes. The presenter also provides information regarding the implications of current research and future needs, particularly related to understudied populations and strategies to increase the generalization of newly learned communication skills across varied contexts, communication partners, materials, and settings. Implications for stakeholders (e.g., parents, teachers, researchers, people with ASD) of the abovementioned material are discussed.