Social (Pragmatic) communication in autism · Improving Social Communication in Children with High...
Transcript of Social (Pragmatic) communication in autism · Improving Social Communication in Children with High...
Improving Social Communication
in Children with High Functioning ASD
Tonya Agostini Aspect Autism in Education Conference, Sydney 31st July-1st August, 2014
My Experiences with Language Learning and ASD • Language and linguistics training (16 years )
• A child with autism (13 years)/SS groups (5yrs)
• Autism Research and SLA (8 years)
speech
communication
food
self-care anxiety
routines
play skills behaviour
relationships
Aims of the Workshop
1. Discuss how social communication is affected in people autism spectrum disorder
2. Review some key concepts about social communication
3. Discuss some Evidence-Based Social communication interventions teasy to use and accessible
How is Social Communication
Affected in Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism presents itself in two main ways:
• Deficits and delays in social communication and interactions
• Restricted interests and repetitive behaviours
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth ed. (DSM5) (APA, 2013)
Social Communication differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Timing of Speech Differences
• Don’t seem to hear speech in environment
• Abrupt entry and exit into conversations
• Long pauses in conversation
Manner of Speech Differences
• Lack of eye contact
• Lack of use of gestures
Social Communication differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Quality of Speech Differences
• Repetitive speech or echoing (echolalia)
(e.g., reciting movie lines)
• restricted reasons for speaking
• Inappropriate topics, thinking aloud without thought of who is listening
Quantity of Speech Differences
• Intense special interest talk (cars, movies)
• Talk for too long or do not talk not at all
Some Key Concepts about
Social Communication
Types of Speech Acts
Direct vs. Indirect Speech
• Greeting:
direct- “Hello”
indirect-“Nice weather today"
• Request:
direct-“Pass me the mashed potatoes?"
indirect-“I can’t reach the mash potatoes"
• Complaint:
direct-“My steak is taking a long time to arrive”
indirect-“Did they have to go and catch the cow?”
Direct vs. Indirect Speech
• Invitation:
direct-“Will you come to my party on Saturday?”
Indirect-“I’m having a party Saturday night"
• Compliment :
direct-“I like your dress”
indirect-“I’d like a dress like that”
• Refusal:
direct-“I can’t come tonight”
indirect-“I wish I could go"
Nonverbal Communication
•Facial expressions
•Natural gestures
•Cultural gestures
•Eye-contact
•Head-shaking and nodding
•Body posture
Why is Social Communication impaired in ASD?
• Theory of mind deficits (difficult to predict what others think) • Weak Central Coherence tendencies (focus on details rather than big picture) • Multisensory Information processing deficits (voice, facial expression, body language)
Social Communication is multisensory and it is difficult for people with ASD to process what they
see, hear, feel and smell all at the same time
Davy Jones Captain of Ghost Ship in Pirates of Carribean
She is showing interest, he keeps looking at the object
She sits down and joins in, he keeps his focus on the object
She adds to the object, he allows her to but does not shift his gaze
She shifts her body posture communicate face to face
She tries again to make face to face contact
She’s feeling unsure, he’s looking away talking
He still hasn’t looked at her face, he continues reciting lines
She’s showing her suggestion, he doesn’t look at it or her
She adds her part , he seems to be wincing but allows it
Practical Strategies to Improve Social Communication in
High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Evidence-Based Social Communication Interventions
•Social Stories and journals
•Video Modelling
•Social Skills Groups
•Prompting/cues (playdates)
Social Stories or Journaling
Social Skills Flip Book Idea www.avspeechtherapy.com
Video Modelling-Sharing
Social Skills Groups Ideas
Lego Robotics Software Billy Carts Bushwalking Craft Top Gear Cycling Games
Use prompts and cues to keep conversation flowing
Who can help? • Parents (Daily interactions) • Special Needs Teachers (Monitor at school) • Psychologists (10 visit p.a. GP Mental Health Care Plan) • Speech Pathologists • Community Organisations e.g., ASPECT, Learning
Links, Georges River Life Care run courses and social skills groups
Helpful Courses • Hanan ‘More than Words’ for ASD (early years) • Emotion-based Social Skills Training for ASD (8 yrs +) • Cool kids for ASD (8 years +)
It’s a Marathon Not a Sprint
Thank You for Listening
Feel free to contact me about this topic or
to discuss participating in my Italian L2 learning in Autism research project
Tonya Agostini [email protected]