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Language & Communication

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Speech, AAC, first words, and building communication.

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All Language & Communication

52 articles
Cognitive Milestones in 4-Year-Olds Language & Communication

Cognitive Milestones in 4-Year-Olds

Watching early childhood development unfold is a captivating experience, each year brimming with new surprises and milestones. As children reach the age of four, their world becomes increasingly intricate, particularly in terms of cognitive development. This pivotal phase in a c

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Angela Nelson, J.D., Ed.M.

Mar 31, 2024 · 3 min read
Language & Communication in 4-Year-Olds: What to Expect Language & Communication

Language & Communication in 4-Year-Olds: What to Expect

Watching the development of language and communication skills in 4-year-olds is both fascinating and critical for their growth. This age marks significant strides in their ability to express themselves and understand others, setting the foundation for future learning and social

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Angela Nelson, J.D., Ed.M.

Mar 31, 2024 · 4 min read
It’s So Confusing: The Language of Neurodiversity and Disability Language & Communication

It’s So Confusing: The Language of Neurodiversity and Disability

Have you ever wondered, “Should I be using the term disability ? What about neurodiversity ?” If you have, believe me, you are not alone. Having worked in the “field of disability” for nearly two decades, I ask myself this question nearly every month.

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Adam R. Lalor, Ph.D.

Feb 3, 2023 · 4 min read
Hi-Lo Books: An Innovative Option for Struggling Teen Readers Language & Communication

Hi-Lo Books: An Innovative Option for Struggling Teen Readers

Can you imagine struggling to read in middle school? What would it feel like to find books at your reading level geared towards young children? Perhaps starting out with a basic, entry-level picture book is a good first step to begin learning how to read, but what would you do i

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Kenna McEvoy

Dec 16, 2022 · 6 min read
Why Autistic/ADHD People Are Drawn to Other Autistic/ADHD People Language & Communication

Why Autistic/ADHD People Are Drawn to Other Autistic/ADHD People

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends I was diagnosed when I was 28. Being late diagnosed, I started to read more about autism and ADHD and suddenly realized so many people I know fit these descriptions. Some old friends, coworkers, and family had these traits! My partner

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Tori Lehinger

Sep 11, 2022 · 5 min read
The Five Best Ice Breakers to Use for Autistic Students Language & Communication

The Five Best Ice Breakers to Use for Autistic Students

Helping Autistic Students Connect with Other Students Autistic students can sometimes have challenges related to social interactions, communication, and lack of social reciprocity. Due to these challenges, it is sometimes difficult for children with autism to easily meet and con

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Katie Vena

Sep 10, 2022 · 5 min read
The 2-Step Approach to Preventing Disruptive Behaviors for Children With Autism Language & Communication

The 2-Step Approach to Preventing Disruptive Behaviors for Children With Autism

Functions of Behavior and Antecedent Strategies

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Kenna McEvoy

Sep 5, 2022 · 10 min read
Show Love to Your Autistic Child… and Yourself! Language & Communication

Show Love to Your Autistic Child… and Yourself!

Work Smarter, Not Harder Did you know that we all have primary ways in which we tend to show love and affection to others around us? We also have preferences on how we like to have others reciprocate and show their love to us. However, autistic children may struggle with social

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Katie Vena

Jul 30, 2022 · 6 min read
Can Sign Language Help Autistic Early Learners Develop Communication Skills? Language & Communication

Can Sign Language Help Autistic Early Learners Develop Communication Skills?

The short answer is Yes! There is strong research support for teaching sign language to all young children, autistic or non-autistic. Sign language can be used to help encourage verbal language development, but it should not be used as a replacement for teaching children to spea

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Sheila Hartley, MS, BCBA, LBA

Jul 11, 2022 · 5 min read
Autism & Drama Therapy: A View From the Spectrum Language & Communication

Autism & Drama Therapy: A View From the Spectrum

My journey to the stage (and, lately, behind the camera) was a long one.

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Grady Bolding

Jun 1, 2022 · 6 min read
The Effects of COVID-19 on Parents of Children With Autism Language & Communication

The Effects of COVID-19 on Parents of Children With Autism

3 Strategies and 5 Great Apps for Destressing and Walking Down the Long Road to “Normal” The COVID-19 pandemic created a worldwide crisis that has left behind lasting effects on the...

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Lauren Ciran

May 5, 2022 · 5 min read
Where Do I Start With My Nonverbal Autistic* Child? Language & Communication

Where Do I Start With My Nonverbal Autistic* Child?

First words are a milestone that many parents eagerly await for their young child to achieve. For most children, the first word is spoken around 11-13 months of age. However for some children, especially those children eventually diagnosed or currently diagnosed with autism, a d

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Ashley McAtee

Apr 9, 2022 · 8 min read
What Is Theory of Mind? Language & Communication

What Is Theory of Mind?

...And How Do You Teach an Autistic Child to Develop This Crucial Skill? Most of us have a theory of mind in that we can guess what others are thinking and how that might differ from what we are thinking. [However, many] with autism can be thought of as mindblind in that they ca

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Kenna McEvoy

Mar 13, 2022 · 5 min read
Five Great Ways to Improve Parent Teacher Communication to Support Children With Autism Language & Communication

Five Great Ways to Improve Parent Teacher Communication to Support Children With Autism

With new technologies, ways to communicate or share information have become instant, workloads have increased while deadlines have shrunk, and expectations for students continue to rise. Teachers and parents have expanded their ways of communication by sharing information at any

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Lauren Ciran

Mar 13, 2022 · 9 min read
What Are the Three Levels of Autism? Language & Communication

What Are the Three Levels of Autism?

We often hear people reference "high-functioning autism" and "low-functioning autism." But in fact, those who work with children with autism tend not to rely on labels such as "high functioning" and "low functioning." While it is recognized that autism occurs on a spectrum and a

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Kenna McEvoy

Mar 7, 2022 · 6 min read
How to Help a Talkative Autistic* Child to Talk Less and Listen More Language & Communication

How to Help a Talkative Autistic* Child to Talk Less and Listen More

Many children with autism develop special interests and become so entranced with them that they spend much of their time talking about them with great enthusiasm. Initially, it can be astounding to hear autistic individuals share their knowledge and expertise on topics such as d

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Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan

Mar 6, 2022 · 7 min read
Always Presume Competence (Part 2) Language & Communication

Always Presume Competence (Part 2)

Teaching Language and Communication to Autistic Children This is the second part of a two-part series. Start with part 1!

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Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan

Feb 27, 2022 · 5 min read
Always Presume Competence (Part 1) Language & Communication

Always Presume Competence (Part 1)

Teaching Language and Communication to Autistic Children Teaching language and communication to autistic children who are non-verbal, can be extremely challenging. When it appears that all our efforts to teach them to speak are in vain and no progress is noted, we can be tempted

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Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan

Feb 27, 2022 · 6 min read
Using Verbal Operants to Encourage Language Development in Autistic Children Language & Communication

Using Verbal Operants to Encourage Language Development in Autistic Children

Verbal operants are foundational in the development of language and communication skills. Autistic children vary a great deal in their ability to use different verbal operants. Learning skills within one verbal operant can promote growth in other verbal operants. Specialists wor

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Kenna McEvoy

Dec 19, 2021 · 6 min read
Language Delays: How to Rule out Hearing Loss for Autistic Children Language & Communication

Language Delays: How to Rule out Hearing Loss for Autistic Children

Language delays in children can occur for many reasons including cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, or autism. If a child has a language delay ruling out hearing loss is an important first step, because if there is some deficit in hearing it needs to be addressed quickly

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Leslie Stebbins, M.Ed. M.L.I.S.

Dec 12, 2021 · 3 min read
Understanding the Differences Between Receptive and Expressive Languages: Teaching Autistic Children Language & Communication

Understanding the Differences Between Receptive and Expressive Languages: Teaching Autistic Children

Understanding the differences between receptive and expressive language can be a difficult task. These words are often used interchangeably, which can be confusing to the learners. More importantly, teaching language skills without a clear understanding of these two language bui

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Brian Le, MS, BCBA

Nov 20, 2021 · 5 min read
Herramientas de enseñanza para hacer amigos y desarrollar amistades en línea para personas con TEA Language & Communication

Herramientas de enseñanza para hacer amigos y desarrollar amistades en línea para personas con TEA

Aprender habilidades en las redes sociales y la etiqueta de citas puede ser desafiante especialmente para los jóvenes adultos con autismo. Este artículo proporciona herramientas para ayudar a aprender nuevas habilidades sociales digitales para las personas con TEA.

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Frankie Kietzman, Ed.S.

Nov 19, 2021 · 6 min read
What is Echolalia? Language & Communication

What is Echolalia?

Understanding the Role Echolalia Plays in Language Development for Autistic Children

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Kenna McEvoy

Oct 24, 2021 · 6 min read
Best Apps for Autistic Children Language & Communication

Best Apps for Autistic Children

Certain apps are targeted to meet the needs and support autistic individuals. Children in this generation have grown up with iPads and tablets. They’re able to navigate the devices and often have favorite apps. Many families and schools will use apps to supplement learning. Chil

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Tatiana Tortora

Oct 17, 2021 · 8 min read

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