More Proof May Be Needed That Autism Treatments Work | Psych Central News

More Proof May Be Needed That Autism Treatments Work | Psych Central News

Panelists agreed there was enough evidence to endorse the use of applied behavioral analysis, integrated behavioral/developmental programs, the Picture Exchange Communication System and various social skills interventions for Asperger’s syndrome and high-functioning autism.

First Then Visual Schedule

First Then Visual Schedule - Good Karma Applications

First-Then visual schedule application is designed for caregivers to provide
positive behavior support for those with communication needs. This application provides an affordable and convenient audio-visual prompting tool for use on the iPhone or iTouch. The portability of the iPhone and iTouch and ease of use of the application make it perfect for use at school, home or in the community.


















Visual schedules provide positive behavior support through the use of
images that show daily events(i.e. morning routine or therapy schedule) or steps needed to complete a specific activity, (i.e. using the restroom).
For individuals with communication needs, developmental delays, spectrum disorders or those who benefit from a structured environment; visual schedules serve to increase independence and lower anxiety during transitions through different activities. Visual schedules help set a
child up to be successful with clear expectations by promoting understanding
of upcoming events.

















First-Then application is unique in that it is completely customizable. User
can *record their own voice*, *add their own images* from their computer or
iPhone camera, or simply use images from the application’s stock library to create a schedule. This customization allows the application to be unique to the user and their needs. This also allows for schedules to be created “on-the-go” to help transition through unexpected changes in a routine.

First Then Visual Schedule - Good Karma Applications

Apps4Autism: iCommunicate (iPod, iPad, iPhone)

iCommunicate - Grembe Inc.




iCommunicate - Grembe Inc.

Proloquo2Go: Time to Dump that Dynavox to the Curb?

Proloquo2Go - AssistiveWare















Proloquo2Go - AssistiveWare


Proloquo2Go™ is a new product from AssistiveWare that provides a full-featured communication solution for people who have difficulty speaking. It brings natural sounding text-to-speech voices, up-to-date symbols, powerful automatic conjugations, a default vocabulary of over 7000 items, full expandability and extreme ease of use to the iPhone and iPod touch.

iPad

Proloquo2Go is now available also on iPad, Apple’s revolutionary new tablet device. Now you can use it on an iPad at home, at work or at school and use it on an iPod touch or iPhone when going to the movies, a restaurant or hiking.

iPhone and iPod touch

Proloquo2Go is a custom designed, full-featured communication solution for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Never has AAC been so portable and affordable.

How does it work?

If you know how to use an iPhone or iPod touch you know how to use Proloquo2Go. While Proloquo2Go has a lot of advanced features the basics are extremely simple and easy.

Proloquo2Go includes natural sounding text-to-speech voices, up-to-date symbols, powerful automatic conjugations, a default vocabulary of over 7000 items, full expandability and extreme ease of use.

The vocabulary: VocaSpace™

The basic structure of Proloquo2Go is made to utilize the best of both worlds: word based construction and powerful phrases. So whether you are chatting with a friend, answering a question about a current event, or constructing a story to tell later in the day, the system is designed to be easy and effective for a broad range of individuals.

Autism and the iPad: Proloquo2Go Demo Video

Large PECS Communication Notebook (Picture Exchange Communication System)

Large PECS Communication Notebook (Picture Exchange Communication System)

• Use this notebook to organize and implement your picture exchange program.
• The front cover and inner part of the back cover also serve as pages for the picture symbols.
• A sentence strip with velcro runs across the lip of the longer back cover.
• The Large PECS Communication Notebook measures 9.25" x 10".
• This is an ideal tool for any individual using a Picture Exchange system.

Shaping and Chaining

Shaping and Chaining

Shaping and Chaining is a method of discrete trial training where the teacher does not wait for the child to actually complete the whole desired behavior. If the child partially completes the behavior or makes a move or effort towards the desired behavior, the child is rewarded. Chaining is putting the small subparts together to obtain the desired behavior. Shaping and chaining is often used with severely autistic children.

While DTT is based upon principles of learning theory and has been demonstrated to be an effective intervention methodology, it represents only one of dozens of teaching strategies within the field of ABA. ABA methods of teaching can be used with PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), photo activity schedules, naturalistic learning, pivotal response, chaining and shaping, graduated guidance, and functional communication training.

Excerpted from Dave Sherman's book, Autism: Asserting Your Child's Rights to a Special Education

Augmentative Communication, and Assistive Technology

Autism is a developmental disability that is characterized by deficits in social and communication skills (Autism Society of America, 2005). While in typically developing children, speech and language develop rapidly during the first three years of life, children with autism have major difficulties in the acquisition of verbal communication (Child Development Institute, 2005; Kaiser, Hester, & McDuffie, 2001).

These difficulties can exacerbate other problems related to autism. Without a means of communication, children who already have severe deficits in social skills find it almost impossible to interact with others. Also, the frustration of not being able to communicate is responsible for many of the behavior problems associated with autism (National Research Council, 2001).

Alternative Augmentative Communication is one way in which to provide children with a means of communicating. AAC takes many forms and I will try to tackle all on this blog. These may include but are not limited to ...

• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
  
• Sign Language
• Alternate Communication Devices (aka: Assistive Technology) such as the DynaVox