This article reviews research on the role of symbolic, referent, and instructional variables on the acquisition of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) symbols by individuals with autism and severe speech and language impairments. Two vignettes illustrate findings of the review. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

This book is designed to provide a broad range of information on family structure and function in an increasingly multicultural society, family system characteristics and the implications for intervention, communication development in the family context, the nature and delivery of family centered-services, specific requirements of Public Law…

Through interactive-observation, the strengths of the video recorder (actual viewing experience) and the strengths of the computer (capability for feedback, record keeping, and problem analysis) can be combined and used in the preparation of personnel to educate handicapped children and youth. In the area of communicative disorders, accurate…

Describes five participatory workshop activities to be used when offering a communication workshop to help ensure that participants understand, retain and apply the ideas and information presented. Activities include second/foreign language simulation, speech reading, language/learning disabilities simulation, and coarticulation simulation.…

Presented for preschool teachers are guidelines for meeting the needs of speech and language delayed children. Information is provided on the following topics: language development theory, the difference between speech and language, normal speech and language development (including a chart of language milestones from birth to 6 years), disorders…

Many severely disabled individuals who rely on augmentative and alternative communication systems experience difficulties using newly acquired communication skills in settings different from those introduced in the instructional context and with different conversational partners. Methods of promoting functional communication skills are addressed,…

This report discusses the objectives and outcomes of a project that investigated the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems by students with severe communication disabilities. The first objective of the project was to conduct five investigations to identify skills that contribute to the communicative competence of students…

Intended for parents, teachers, speech-language pathologists, and others within the child's "communication environment," this booklet contains suggestions and illustrations for improving children's listening and speech skills. In addition, it presents basic information related to normal communication development, as well as information about…

"Partners in Augmentative Communication Training" (PACT) is a communication interaction facilitation program for child augmentative technique users and their communication partners. The program offers guidelines for use in developing individualized plans for improving conversational interaction. This resource guide addresses priority…

Most people agree that it is important for children to be able to express their likes, dislikes, needs, and ideas. It is also important for their parents, siblings, peers, teachers, and others to be able to understand them. Yet for children with language impairments, trying to communicate is not only frustrating but can be overwhelming. In…

Describes the types of children with autism that would benefit from visual teaching strategies. Discusses the benefits and disadvantages of some of the more well-known programs that use visual teaching strategies, including movement-based systems relying on sign language, and materials-based systems such as Treatment and Education of Autistic and…

A discussion of language disorders that often occur with learning disabilities focuses on definitions, characteristics, alternative assessment methods, and service delivery models and interventions. Use of standardized test batteries, curriculum-based language assessment, and portfolio assessment is reviewed. Principles and methods to enhance…

This article describes a discourse-based language intervention strategy in which children with pervasive developmental disorders are taught to make use of prior linguistic context to participate verbally in structured, interactive dialogues. The paper also describes the use of behavioral methodologies, especially milieu therapies, and the need for…

This guide examines problems in the assessment, evaluation, and teaching of language minority children who come from diverse sociocultural backgrounds. School systems must find valid means to assess linguistic minority students and must offer instructional approaches that can facilitate growth and development. General guidelines for assessment…

The state of the art in testing and teaching communicatively handicapped Hispanic children is examined in eight chapters organized into sections concerned with insights from research, a view of the present, and recommendations for the future. The three chapters of the first section summarize research related to the acquisition of English as a…