For years, I’ve been passionate about developing effective autism communication strategies, particularly through my work in speech therapy and my love for exploring new cultures. During my recent research, I discovered a non-governmental organization in Cambodia that is working tirelessly to provide speech therapy to those with communication difficulties.
In Cambodia, where speech therapy services are scarce, the need is significant—estimates indicate that around 600,000 Cambodians suffer from communication or swallowing disorders.
If you’d like to learn more about assistive communication devices for autism, make sure you check out your free guide here:
Easy autism communication strategies for children
After reaching out to the organization, I learned that their clinic in Phnom Penh was encountering a high incidence of children with signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In Los Angeles, I specialize in working with ASD populations; specifically using technology such as pictures or an iPad to help children with limited verbal language.
We decided that my time in Cambodia would be best spent sharing my expertise with the speech therapists and assistants to help implement visual language supports.
Using visual supports to aid communication
Visual language supports – essentially, using pictures – are a key component of effective autism communication strategies. My experience has shown that children with autism are often visual learners.
If they can see something, they can understand it. Words alone can be abstract and hard to grasp, but connecting words to concrete images helps children with autism begin to understand and use those words.
This is why tools like iPads are so effective; they make language visual and accessible.
Implementing technology in therapy
When I arrived in Phnom Penh, I quickly got to work seeing kids who were struggling with a traditional approach to speech therapy and began introducing technology such as an iPad. One of the most meaningful experiences I had was with a 17-year-old boy named Keo.
Keo mostly used single words in both English and Khmer (Cambodia’s official language), but his parents were convinced he was capable of so much more. They hoped an iPad might help Keo start formulating his thoughts into more complex phrases and sentences.
Strategies for sentence formation
As I began our session, I noticed that Keo was shy and quiet. Unsure of his responses in both Khmer and English, he was hesitant to communicate.
After I asked him to describe several pictures in a book, I realized that he had very few verbs in his repertoire. Verbs are the glue required to string words into sentences, so it was no wonder that he had trouble formulating his thoughts.
Keo also had trouble understanding the basic structure of a sentence in English. I pulled out a blank piece of paper and wrote out the formula:
[WHO = person + ACTION = doing + THING].Using this formula, we looked at picture scenes together and began describing what we saw by filling in the blanks. It was a simple strategy yet incredibly effective.
Collaborating with local therapists
During the remainder of my time in Phnom Penh, I worked closely alongside speech therapists and occupational therapists to demonstrate the power of visual supports.
Some kids benefitted from a basic communication board and others excelled with the use of an iPad. Immediately, I saw dramatic improvements in every single child that we introduced to pictures.
Tips for implementing autism communication strategies
In my practice, I can always get a wow factor when I pull out a communication board or introduce a visual schedule for the first time because children respond incredibly well to language made visual.
However, the key to long-term success is integrating these types of supports into a child’s daily environment. Easier said than done, right? Here are three things I tell parents to keep in mind.
1. Basic is sometimes better
Sometimes we don’t need all the bells and whistles of a high-tech gadget to get kids talking. With Keo, I simply ripped a blank piece of paper out of a notebook.
When trying to teach an autistic child a new word, I am constantly thinking about how to represent it visually. I’m notorious for whipping out my iPhone and using Google images or watching a short clip on YouTube, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be this sophisticated.
It could be as simple as using a whiteboard and writing down the word or drawing a picture.
2. Pick one routine to start
After one of my coaching sessions, parents leave feeling empowered and motivated to implement. Parents often set lofty goals for themselves, only to be disappointed in themselves when they can’t follow through.
Establishing new routines is tough, so I like to focus on one routine at a time. Start with something easy, like reading a book every night and using the iPad to request the page be turned or using a simple visual schedule to get ready for bed.
I find selecting nighttime routines is a lot less stressful than starting with a morning routine when you’re rushing out the door. Commit to one routine for two weeks and track your progress on the calendar or using this.
3. Give lots of praise
Sometimes we get so focused on the long-term outcomes that we want, we forget to celebrate all of the small wins along the way! Children with autism often find communication challenging, so we need to make sure we’re reinforcing all of their efforts.
Reminder: all children with autism are very different, so we need to be mindful that this might look very different from one child to the next.
For some children, this could mean clapping and saying “yay” and for others, it might be giving a squeeze for sensory input. In Cambodia, I realized the importance of praise while working alongside Keo.
After 20 minutes of helping him formulate sentences, I pulled up another picture and said, “OK, now you’re going to make a sentence on your own using this board.” Within moments he slowly began creating a sentence, stringing together four words: “Duck jump at water.”
He looked up at me excitedly, as if to say “Did you just hear that sentence?!” As we sat across the table from one another, our eyes locked and huge smiles spread across our faces.
I looked at Keo and exclaimed, “I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. When someone does something REALLY GREAT where I’m from, I give them a high five.” The high five we shared was a moment of pure connection, transcending language barriers.
The lasting impact of autism communication strategies
My journey in Cambodia not only reinforced the effectiveness of visual supports but also highlighted the universal need for accessible autism communication strategies. Whether through a simple piece of paper or a high-tech iPad, the goal remains the same: to empower children with autism to express themselves and connect with others.
This experience underscored the importance of tailored approaches, consistent routines, and positive reinforcement in helping these children thrive. As we continue to develop and share these strategies globally, we can make a profound difference in the lives of children with autism and their families, fostering communication and understanding across all barriers.
This article was featured in Issue 71 – Navigating A New Year
FAQs
Q: How do you communicate effectively with autistic people?
A: To communicate effectively with autistic people, use clear, concise language and visual aids to support understanding. Be patient, give them time to process information, and be mindful of their sensory sensitivities.
Q: What is the preferred method of communication for autistic people?
A: The preferred method of communication for autistic people often includes visual supports such as pictures, symbols, or written text, as these can help clarify verbal information. Some may also benefit from using technology like communication apps on tablets or smartphones.
Q: Why do autistic people struggle to communicate?
A: Autistic people may struggle to communicate due to difficulties with understanding and using verbal language, interpreting social cues, and sensory sensitivities that can overwhelm or distract them. These challenges can make it hard for them to express their thoughts and understand others effectively.
References
Bondy, A., & Frost, L. (2011). A picture’s worth: PECS and other visual communication strategies in autism (2nd ed.). Woodbine House. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-21296-000
Douglas, S. N., & Gerde, H. K. (2019). A Strategy to Support the Communication of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Intervention in School and Clinic, 55(1), 32-38. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053451219833021
Rutherford, M., Baxter, J., Grayson, Z., Johnston, L., & O’Hare, A. (2020). Visual supports at home and in the community for individuals with autism spectrum disorders: A scoping review. Autism, 24(2), 447-469. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361319871756
Chapin, S. E., McNaughton, D., Light, J., McCoy, A., Caron, J., & Lee, D. L. (2021). The effects of AAC video visual scene display technology on the communicative turns of preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. Assistive Technology, 34(5), 577–587. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2021.1893235
