Range of Conversation Skills
When our friends with autism have adequate receptive and expressive language, we tend to overlook another prevalent problem – that of carrying on a conversation. Conversation skills of people with autism cover a broad range.
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1. Initiating a conversation. Some individuals with autism avoid conversing with others at all costs, but others do not have the skills necessary to initiate a conversation. They may need a prompt to get started, or they may need some ideas about topics. Sometimes we don’t give our friends opportunities to initiate conversation because we fill in all the silences or because we assume they don’t want to talk.
2. Participating in a conversation. Sometimes we need to purposefully teach our friends with autism how to sustain a conversation. They may not naturally pick up on the concept of reciprocal, give and take conversations.
3. Patterned speech. Echolalic speech patterns and the sing-song tone used by some individuals with autism can discourage others from conversing with them. Mechanical or idiosyncratic responses as well as comments that are without substance or meaning can also deter conversation.
4. Range of topics. Some individuals with autism only talk about a narrow range of topics with little regard for the interests of others. Others do not appear to connect with others as they repeat stereotyped dialogues or imaginary conversations.
TIP FOR THE DAY. Even if your friend with autism can talk and seems to understand what is said to them, take time to analyze their conversation skills. Help them learn to carry on a give-and-take conversation with people in their world.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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