Strengthening Professional Networks to Serve Students With Autism Who Have Communication Needs

Many students with autism have complex communication needs and benefit from the use of aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), which can include picture symbols, communication boards or books, or speech-generating devices. However, many of the challenges to high-quality AAC intervent...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Intervention in school and clinic 2023-01, Vol.58 (3), p.173-182
Main Author: Biggs, Elizabeth E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allied Health Personnel
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Collective action
Communication Skills
Cooperative Planning
Educational research
Intervention
Needs Assessment
Networks
Relatives
Social Capital
Special education
Special Education Teachers
Specialists
Speech
Speech Language Pathology
Students
Students with Disabilities
Teachers
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Many students with autism have complex communication needs and benefit from the use of aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), which can include picture symbols, communication boards or books, or speech-generating devices. However, many of the challenges to high-quality AAC intervention are amplified by inadequate collaboration. Effective collaboration is critical, including between teachers and speech-language pathologists (SLPs), with students’ parents and other family members, and with other related service providers or specialists. This article draws from social network theory and special education research to offer practical guidelines for special education teachers and SLPs to develop and strengthen their own professional networks and more effectively serve students with autism who have communication needs. Guidance is also offered for school and district leaders. Strong professional networks can improve communication outcomes for students with complex communication needs by fostering educators’ knowledge, skills, confidence, and collective action toward effective and integrated AAC intervention.
ISSN:1053-4512
1538-4810
DOI:10.1177/10534512221081250