Have you ever attempted to accomplish a task in a country where you don’t speak the language? No matter what you say or do, the native speakers don’t seem to understand. How quickly did you become frustrated and overwhelmed, or simply give up?
For children with special communication needs, this is a daily occurrence. During ABA therapy, providers give special needs children tools that will help them communicate in meaningful ways. In most cases, this work involves the use of assistive technology.
Don’t let the word “technology” fool you. Sometimes low-tech solutions are enough to help children with Autism forge meaningful social relationships. Assistive technology for communication can be as simple as a laminated sheet of paper — but parents must take the first step toward unlocking these solutions for their children.
At Path 2 Potential, our talented ABA therapists are masters at working with assistive devices for children. Are you curious about what tools your child might encounter during a holistic, individualized ABA session?
Keep reading to discover how enrolling in services can help your child become an independent communicator.
1. PECS Picture Boards
PECS stands for Picture Exchange Communication System. A PECS board allows children with Autism to communicate using pictures. Children work with an ABA therapy provider to learn how to exchange a picture card for a matching tangible object.
An important element of PECS systems is that they allow the child to initiate communication themselves. This can provide children with agency, even if they are completely non-verbal. So many relationships begin when children have the tools they need to reach out.
As children begin to master the use of communication boards, they will progress to adopting a rough version of sentence structure. Their thoughts will become progressively more complex. It’s incredible to watch nonverbal children embrace and master language on their own timeline!
In essence, anything that you can say using a picture can become part of a PECS system. So many “meltdowns” or “outbursts” happen when children have no other way to communicate their needs. A PECS system can mitigate these upsetting responses as children begin to advocate for themselves.
2. Speech Generating Apps
A speech-generating app is a higher-tech alternative to a simple PECS system. These apps also use pictures as an assistive communication strategy to help children communicate. The difference is that the app provides the “voice” for the child.
Often, these apps incorporate a menu featuring a variety of topics. For example, a child might select the icon for “food words.” The menu will reveal a field of pictures including various food and beverage items.
Your child might open this menu and select the image of a cookie. In response, the app will say “cookie.” As children become more comfortable with the app, they can toggle the menus to form sentences.
Some advanced apps allow children to choose the “voice” that they use to communicate. They can select an option that matches their personality. It’s another wonderful way to gain agency over communication.
Children with the ability to type can also use text-to-speech features built into these apps.
3. Visual Schedules
At the most fundamental level, every form of assistive technology gives children the tools they need to pursue independence. A visual schedule is one such tool that can help children become more self-reliant. It can reduce anxiety, help build routines, and assist children in navigating transitions.
A visual schedule is a series of images that show a child what happens in a given scenario, in order. It might be an actual daily schedule, or it might reinforce the steps in a new skill, such as shoe-tying.
Autistic children perform better when they know what the expectations will be. A visual schedule provides a predictable and consistent list of desired behaviors. There is safety and comfort in the tangible routine.
4. Social Stories
All children become anxious when they’re about to experience something new, but autistic children struggle more than their neurotypical peers. Preparation can help children set expectations and reduce anxiety-related behaviors.
Therapists can use social stories to prepare children for nearly any social situation. Each “story” depicts what will happen in a social scenario and how the child should respond. They sometimes provide specific language that children can use in unfamiliar situations.
There are social stories that explain what they will see and do at the grocery store. Others may help children prepare for a dental checkup. They often come in the form of simple books.
ABA therapists are industrious and often make social stories for the children they work with. These can include photos of the actual place the child will be going. It might even include photos of the child!
5. Slant Boards
Some children with Autism struggle with executive functioning or have weak fine motor skills. This can make it difficult for them to communicate in writing. Writing can be an important element of communication for children who lack oral language skills.
A slant board is a deceptively simple piece of assistive technology that improves handwriting. It allows children to write on a slight incline. The board helps children’s hands naturally settle into a more efficient position for writing.
If a child cannot use both hands, a clip at the top of the board will hold their paper in place. This makes it easier for the child to focus on communicating. Over time they will become stronger and more capable writers.
See These Tools in Action With Path 2 Potential ABA Therapy
Education pioneer Loris Malaguzzi taught the world that children communicate using one hundred languages. If your child is still struggling with self-expression, they may not have found their language yet! Assistive technology for communication can help your child discover their most authentic voice.
It all begins when you connect with an assistive technology provider at Path 2 Potential. We offer ABA therapy services that can help your child build resilience in a dynamic world. Contact us today to enroll in these life-changing services.