Improving Social Communication in Children with High Functioning ASD

Transcription

1 Improving Social Communication in Children with High Functioning ASD Tonya Agostini Aspect Autism in Education Conference, Sydney 31 st July-1 st August, 2014

2 My Experiences with Language Learning and ASD Language and linguistics training (16 years ) A child with autism (13 years)/ss groups (5yrs) Autism Research and SLA (8 years) communication play skills behaviour food speech relationships self-care anxiety routines

3 Aims of the Workshop 1. Discuss how social communication is affected in people autism spectrum disorder 2. Review some key concepts about social communication 3. Discuss some Evidence-Based Social communication interventions teasy to use and accessible

4 How is Social Communication Affected in Autism Spectrum Disorder?

5 Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism presents itself in two main ways: Deficits and delays in social communication and interactions Restricted interests and repetitive behaviours Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth ed. (DSM5) (APA, 2013)

6 Social Communication differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder Timing of Speech Differences Don t seem to hear speech in environment Abrupt entry and exit into conversations Long pauses in conversation Manner of Speech Differences Lack of eye contact Lack of use of gestures

7 Social Communication differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder Quality of Speech Differences Repetitive speech or echoing (echolalia) (e.g., reciting movie lines) restricted reasons for speaking Inappropriate topics, thinking aloud without thought of who is listening Quantity of Speech Differences Intense special interest talk (cars, movies) Talk for too long or do not talk not at all

8 Some Key Concepts about Social Communication

9 Types of Speech Acts

10 Direct vs. Indirect Speech Greeting: direct- Hello indirect- Nice weather today" Request: direct- Pass me the mashed potatoes?" indirect- I can t reach the mash potatoes" Complaint: direct- My steak is taking a long time to arrive indirect- Did they have to go and catch the cow?

11 Direct vs. Indirect Speech Invitation: direct- Will you come to my party on Saturday? Indirect- I m having a party Saturday night" Compliment : direct- I like your dress indirect- I d like a dress like that Refusal: direct- I can t come tonight indirect- I wish I could go"

12 Nonverbal Communication Facial expressions Natural gestures Cultural gestures Eye-contact Head-shaking and nodding Body posture

13 Why is Social Communication impaired in ASD? Theory of mind deficits (difficult to predict what others think) Weak Central Coherence tendencies (focus on details rather than big picture) Multisensory Information processing deficits (voice, facial expression, body language) Social Communication is multisensory and it is difficult for people with ASD to process what they see, hear, feel and smell all at the same time

14 Davy Jones Captain of Ghost Ship in Pirates of Carribean

15 She is showing interest, he keeps looking at the object

16 She sits down and joins in, he keeps his focus on the object

17 She adds to the object, he allows her to but does not shift his gaze

18 She shifts her body posture communicate face to face

19 She tries again to make face to face contact

20 She s feeling unsure, he s looking away talking

21 He still hasn t looked at her face, he continues reciting lines

22 She s showing her suggestion, he doesn t look at it or her

23 She adds her part, he seems to be wincing but allows it

24 Practical Strategies to Improve Social Communication in High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder?

25 Evidence-Based Social Communication Interventions Social Stories and journals Video Modelling Social Skills Groups Prompting/cues (playdates)

26 Social Stories or Journaling Social Skills Flip Book Idea

27 Video Modelling-Sharing

28 Social Skills Groups Ideas Lego Robotics Software Billy Carts Bushwalking Craft Top Gear Cycling Games

29 Use prompts and cues to keep conversation flowing

30 Who can help? Parents (Daily interactions) Special Needs Teachers (Monitor at school) Psychologists (10 visit p.a. GP Mental Health Care Plan) Speech Pathologists Community Organisations e.g., ASPECT, Learning Links, Georges River Life Care run courses and social skills groups Helpful Courses Hanan More than Words for ASD (early years) Emotion-based Social Skills Training for ASD (8 yrs +) Cool kids for ASD (8 years +)

31 It s a Marathon Not a Sprint

32 Thank You for Listening Feel free to contact me about this topic or to discuss participating in my Italian L2 learning in Autism research project Tonya Agostini