As a Special Education Director, ensuring that our staff is equipped with the latest research and methodologies is crucial for the success of our students. One such important area is understanding the language and communication challenges faced by students with autism. The research article titled Features Leading to Judgements of Inappropriacy in the Language of Speakers with Autism: A Preliminary Study by Joanne Volden provides valuable insights into this subject.
According to the study, children with autism often produce language that is judged as "inappropriate" due to several factors. These factors include providing too little or too much information and using unusual or socially inappropriate content or style. The study employed both "emic" and "etic" approaches to analyze the language samples from high-functioning children with autism compared to typically developing children.
Key Findings
- Too Little Information: Children with autism may omit crucial details, making their communication less informative.
- Too Much Information: Conversely, they may also provide excessive details, which can overwhelm the listener.
- Unusual or Socially Inappropriate Content: The study found that children with autism often make remarks that are contextually inappropriate, affecting the flow of conversation.
These findings have significant implications for speech-language pathologists and educators. By understanding these specific areas of difficulty, practitioners can tailor their interventions to address these unique challenges more effectively.
Practical Applications
To improve communication skills in children with autism, consider implementing the following strategies:
- Focused Interventions: Target interventions that specifically address the identified areas of too little or too much information and socially inappropriate content.
- Contextual Training: Teach children how to use context clues to adjust their communication style appropriately.
- Role-Playing Exercises: Use role-playing scenarios to practice appropriate conversational strategies in a controlled environment.
By integrating these strategies into your practice, you can help children with autism develop more effective communication skills, thereby improving their ability to integrate successfully into social and educational settings.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Features Leading to Judgements of Inappropriacy in the Language of Speakers with Autism: A Preliminary Study
