Functional communication is a critical area of focus for children with autism, especially those who are non-verbal. A recent study titled Habilets d'Association Photo-Objet et Communication Fonctionnelle avec Photos chez un Jeune Enfant Autiste / Photo-object Matching Skills and Functional Communication with Photos in a Young Child with Autism by Trottier, Cantin, and Sutton (2004) sheds light on the relationship between photo-object matching skills and the use of photos for communication in young children with autism.
This study investigated whether photo-object matching skills are a prerequisite for using a picture exchange system (PECS) for communication in a non-speaking 3-year-old boy with autism. The research found that the child could effectively use photos to communicate despite having weak photo-object matching skills. This finding suggests that photo-object matching is not necessarily a prerequisite for functional communication using photos.
For practitioners, these findings have significant implications:
- Focus on Functional Communication: Emphasize training children to use photos for communication rather than spending extensive time on teaching photo-object matching skills. The study indicates that children can learn to communicate functionally without mastering photo-object matching.
- Implement PECS: Utilize the PECS approach, which has been shown to be effective in enhancing communication skills in children with autism. This system emphasizes the use of visual symbols and has been widely adopted due to its success.
- Customized Interventions: Tailor interventions to the individual needs of the child. While some children may benefit from photo-object matching, others might find more success through direct communication training.
Future research directions include exploring the link between photo-object matching skills and other cognitive abilities, as well as investigating the long-term impact of focusing on functional communication over matching skills. This research underscores the importance of evidence-based practices in special education and the need for ongoing study to optimize interventions for children with autism.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Habilets d'Association Photo-Objet et Communication Fonctionnelle avec Photos chez un Jeune Enfant Autiste / Photo-object Matching Skills and Functional Communication with Photos in a Young Child with Autism.
