As parents of children on the autism spectrum, you navigate a world filled with unique joys and sometimes, unique challenges. One area that often stands out is communication. Maybe your child uses words, but struggles to have back-and-forth conversations. Perhaps they communicate primarily through gestures, pictures, or even behaviours that can be hard to figure out.
At Tellos, we believe that understanding your child's individual communication style is the very first, and most crucial, step towards helping them thrive and building a stronger family connection. It's like having a secret code – once you start to crack it, a whole new level of understanding opens up.
What are the different types of communication in children with autism?
Communication is far more than just spoken words. For children with autism, communication can take many forms, and recognising all of them is key to effective support.
Verbal (Spoken) Communication
This includes actual words, sentences, or phrases. Challenges here might involve scripting (repeating phrases), difficulty with conversation reciprocity (back-and-forth), or using an unusual tone.
Non-Verbal Communication
This encompasses gestures, facial expressions, body language, and pointing. For many children, these become their primary means of expressing needs and emotions.
Aided Communication
This involves using external tools, such as PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), communication boards, or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices (e.g., speech-generating tablets).
Behaviors as Communication
Often, a child's behaviours are the strongest, clearest message they can send. We explore this in more detail below, but this includes meltdowns, crying, or pulling a parent's hand towards a desired item.
What is the function of challenging behaviour in communication (ABA)?
Within ABA, the core concept is that "behaviour is communication." This means that whenever a child engages in a challenging action (like a meltdown, crying, or throwing an item), they are not just being difficult; they are trying to communicate an unmet need.
ABA identifies four main "functions" (or reasons) behind most challenging behaviours:
- Attention: The child is trying to gain a reaction, look, or spoken word from a parent or carer.
- Escape: The child is trying to get out of a task, situation, or environment they find aversive or overwhelming.
- Access to Tangibles: The child is trying to get a specific item, toy, or food they want.
- Sensory: The child is trying to gain or avoid specific sensory input (e.g., flapping hands to gain visual input, covering ears to avoid noise).
By understanding the function, we can teach a more effective, appropriate functional communication skill to replace the challenging behaviour.
What are functional communication skills in ABA?
Functional communication skills are the practical, everyday ways your child can express their wants, needs, and emotions without resorting to challenging behaviour. The goal is to make appropriate communication easier and more effective for the child than the challenging action.
Manding (Asking)
This is the ability to request something the child wants or needs (like asking for "juice," "help," or a "break"). This is often the first and most critical skill taught.
Tacting (Labelling)
Naming or identifying objects, actions, or properties (like saying "dog" or "red").
Intraverbals (Conversing)
Answering questions or participating in conversation where the response is different from the prompt (like finishing a phrase or answering "What do you want?").
Commenting
Expressing observations or sharing information (like saying "Look!" or "It's raining").
How Can Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) help my child learn to talk?
ABA is highly effective for developing verbal skills, but it does so by focusing on the function of the words, not just the sound. It builds the motivation to communicate.
Motivation First
ABA principles ensure that communication is always highly reinforced. If your child says "ball," they immediately get the ball. This teaches them that their words have power and consequence.
Systematic Teaching
We use techniques like shaping (rewarding closer and closer approximations of a word) and prompting (providing gentle hints) to help your child find their voice.
Focus on Manding
ABA often starts by teaching the mand (requesting), because the child is highly motivated to get something they want, making them more likely to use the word.
Alternative Communication
Importantly, ABA also supports and teaches alternative communication methods (e.g., sign language, PECS) for children who are not yet verbal, ensuring they have a usable way to communicate from day one.
What is PECS and is it effective for autistic children?
PECS stands for the Picture Exchange Communication System. It is a well-established, evidence-based AAC method widely used to teach functional communication to children who have limited or no verbal language.
How it Works
The child learns to exchange a picture of a desired item (like a cracker) with a communication partner (parent or therapist) in exchange for the real item. It starts with a simple exchange and progresses to constructing sentences with picture strips.
Effectiveness
PECS is highly effective because it is easy to understand, functional (the child gets what they request immediately), and portable. It is not intended to replace verbal language; many children who start with PECS eventually develop spoken words. It provides a reliable way to communicate while verbal skills are developing.
How Can Tellos Help?
At Tellos, our compassionate ABA therapy approach places a huge emphasis on understanding and supporting your child's unique communication journey. Our therapists work closely with you to:
- Conduct thorough assessments: We take the time to understand your child's current communication skills and identify their strengths and areas for growth.
- Develop individualised communication goals: We don't use a one-size-fits-all approach. We work with you to set meaningful and achievable communication goals that align with your family's priorities.
- Teach practical communication strategies: We'll show you effective techniques you can use throughout the day to help your child express themselves and understand others.
- Celebrate progress, big and small: Every step forward in communication is a reason to celebrate! We're there to support you and your child every step of the way.
Understanding your child's communication differences isn't just a part of ABA therapy – it's the heart of it. It's the foundation upon which we build skills, strengthen connections, and empower your child to navigate the world with greater confidence and joy.
If you're curious to learn more about how Tellos can help your child on their communication journey, we invite you to reach out for a free consultation. Let's start unlocking your child's world together.
People Also Ask Questions
- What are the different types of communication in children with autism?
- What is the function of challenging behavior in communication (ABA)?
- What are functional communication skills in ABA?
- How Can Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) help my child learn to talk?
- What is PECS and is it effective for autistic children?
