Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, along with restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior. These characteristics can significantly hinder their ability to navigate social interactions and succeed in academic settings. This study explored the need for…

Timely and coordinated early communication supports are critical to ensuring positive outcomes for all children. This is especially important for autistic children. Autism can be associated with delayed or varied communication development, impacting a child's participation and inclusion in the early years. The purpose of this study was to describe…

Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions are an empirically supported intervention approach for young autistic children. Despite the prevalence of disruptive behaviors among autistic children, most manualized caregiver-mediated naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions include limited formal guidance on when and how to manage…

Purpose: Elementary-aged peers often need support for them to have positive interactions with classmates with autism who are minimally speaking (i.e., fewer than 30 functional spoken words). This study examined whether peers could learn to use responsive interaction strategies to support inclusive play and communication within a peer network…

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have communication deficits that lead to difficulties in expressing their needs and establishing relationships with others. Parent-mediated intervention is a method to improve communication skills of children with ASD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of parent-mediated multimodal…

Purpose: Speech, language, and hearing professionals are mandated to provide culturally responsive services for individuals who hold multiple identities and may face unique challenges resulting from multiple discrimination and cumulative disadvantage. This study presents a thematic analysis of ethnographic interviews with an Indigenous Mayan…

The purpose of this investigation was to examine communication skill use and related characteristics, as well as factors associated with problematic communication during conferences, in parents and teachers of children on the autism spectrum (AS). Participants were 36 parent-teacher dyads who completed questionnaires on communication, defined…

This meta-analysis reviews the literature on communication modes, communicative functions, and AAC type examined during interventions with school-age participants with ASD and/or ID who experience CCN. Considering potential differences related to outcomes taught could help identify the most effective means of individualizing AAC interventions. We…

Many individuals with autism experience challenges using language in social contexts (i.e., pragmatic language). Characterizing and understanding pragmatic variability is important to inform intervention strategies and the etiology of communication challenges in autism; however, current manual coding-based methods are often time and labor…

Selective mutism (SM) and autism frequently co-occur together, exacerbating social communication deficits and associated anxiety. However, professionals have lacked a readiness to diagnose SM and autism together, making the need to understand parental experiences of caring for a child with SM and autism crucial. The current study utilised…

Peer interaction supports adolescents in developing communicative, emotional, and social competence. Social interaction, however, poses many challenges for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and complex communication needs. This study used a multiple-probe across participants design to assess the impact of an intervention using videos…

Background and aims: A high rate of children in mental health services have poor language skills, but little evidence exists on how mental health support is delivered to and received by children with language needs. This study looked at parental experiences, asking parents of children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) about…

In 2010, I commenced research aimed at developing effective methodologies in parent education with Hispanic immigrant families of children with language and communication impairments. I aimed to learn how mothers' perceptions and cultural values influenced their experience in raising a child with autism, and I wanted to determine the effectiveness…

School professionals and clinicians share the challenge of identifying and providing interventions for the increasing number of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This book is an authoritative resource that presents up-to-date research and evidence-based tools for accurate assessment and intervention. It includes procedures to help…