FAQautism

Those of you who are listening to this podcast can tell that my voice is still lost, and that it is difficult to understand what I am saying. Having spent over 24 hours without talking has made me realize some of the challenges of non-verbal communication.

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1. SIGN LANGUAGE IS NOT UNIVERSAL. Not everyone understands the sign language. Teaching sign language to non-verbal individuals certainly has its advantages, but we need to pair that with some form of more universally understood communication so our friends can communicate with the general public.

2. SIGN LANGUAGE IS COMPLEX. Learning sign language is not simple. Many signs are not intuitive. If our friends with autism have limited cognitive abilities or if they struggle with language processing, sign language will be very challenging, and maybe frustrating. Again, some sign language is certainly useful, but some individuals with autism will need an alternative communication method.

3. PICTURES AND SYMBOLS REQUIRE VISUAL ATTENTION. Picture symbols are a widely accepted and generally effective method of communication in the area of autism. But, again, we need to avoid assuming every person with autism attends to and processes pictures and symbols. Some people are not able to learn the meaning of abstract symbols. Some individuals are more likely to attend to photographs. And others are simply not attentive to visual cues.

TIP FOR THE DAY: It is time for me to stop talking and rest my voice, so let me close with this tip: Avoid assumptions. Work together with the team to develop individualized communication systems that utilize a person’s strengths and interests while taking into account their limitations.

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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