Augmentative and Alternative Devices for Language for Children with Autism

Dr. Mary Barbera discusses augmentative and alternative devices for languages, and how children with autism can use them to springboard their language to the next level.
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Augmentative and alternative devices for communication or (AAC) can sometimes have a bad rep in the speech delay and autism world. Using devices for language development will sometimes be paired with language decreasing and hindering development rather than improving it. However, today I’m interviewing Deidra Darst, a speech and language pathologist (SLP) who talks a bit about language devices with me. Both of us think that AAC devices can be used as a supplement to vocal language and should be used if needed.

While vocal language is still the best and preferred way to communicate, sometimes communication devices need to be used. Using AAC devices shouldn’t be a choice in deciding between them or vocal language. Instead, things like the picture exchange communication system (PECS), a device, or sign language should be used as a supplement to vocal language. It should be used as an alternative communication method when/if the child needs to communicate something that hasn’t yet been mastered through vocal language.

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Dr. Mary Barbera. I fell into the autism world as an autism mom in 1999 when her first-born son, Lucas, was diagnosed with autism. Since then, she became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and best-selling author of The Verbal Behavior Approach. Since 2015, she’s created 3 autism online courses based on applied behavior analysis for professionals and "gung-ho" parents. Whether you’re looking for autism parenting strategies, working with development delays in children, or in search of autism help for professionals, I can encourage you to subscribe to the channel and join me on my journey. I’ll be providing weekly autism resources that you don’t want to miss.