Autism: Non verbal kids and communication aids - a new study

A small study done by a student at the Victoria
University of Wellington investigated communication methods used with nonverbal children with autism.  In the study, children were given the options of communicating through sign language, picture use or a speech generating application on the iPad. 

The majority of the children in the study preferred using the speech generating application on the iPad.  The study also showed that when children used their preferred method of communication, they "were better at learning and maintaining the communication skills."

For more on research into the use of speech devices in children with autism, please see:
http://advocacyinactionireland.blogspot.ie/2013/05/autism-speech-devices-can-help-children.html

For more information and the source of the above quote, please see:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1305/S00082/researcher-helps-children-with-autism-to-communicate.htm

©Mary M Conneely T/A Advocacy in Action