ASA's 37th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders (July 13-15, 2006)

The first section of the presentation will describe the use of single voice output devices when working with students who are echolalic. The presentation will include video clips demonstrating efficacy, as well as data collected on the child included in a single subject study. Learners will be able to: „« Identify echolalic behaviors. „« Demonstrate knowledge of research that has been conducted specific to echolalia and autism. „« Demonstrate familiarity with current strategies used to facilitate reduction of echolalia. „« Identify types of single message voice output devices, their cost and manufacturers. „« Identify ways to use single voice output devices, to facilitate reduction of echolalic behaviors displayed by children with autism, by utilizing the eight specific steps of this technique. „« Identify reasons that single voice output devices are uniquely suited to facilitate reduction of echolalia and ways to use them to prompt and fade effectively. „« Identify strategies for generalizing the technique to other skills affected by echolalia. „« Identify ways to use this technique in a variety of environments.

The second half of the workshop will describe an effective way to utilize peers to facilitate social communication. Methods used to access peer involvement, activities included during sessions, and description of the specific "feedback loop" that make this strategy unique, will be outlined. Specific outcome description of a single subject study will be presented. Learners will be able to: „« Define social cognition and social communication. „« Describe areas of social deficit common to students with ASD's. „« Identify significant research supporting the use of peers to facilitate social communication for students with autism. „« Replicate the model, based on the detailed description of each step used during intervention. „« Describe specific outcomes of the single subject study. „« Access literature that provides additional information on social cognition and communication.

Speech and language pathologists, parents, and teachers will gain background knowledge and useful information to support communicative growth for children with ASD's. Attendees will be encouraged to develop novel strategies and to describe these in behavioral terms, thus allowing replication of their techniques. Further, the importance of documentation will be emphasized, in order to establish an evidence base Thoughts specific to future areas of investigation will be suggested.

Before concluding the session, learners will be reminded of how joyful it is to work with people on the "spectrum". The excitement of discovering new strategies which open doors for our children and students cannot be described with words, but is palpable every time a small victory is realized. A brief amount of time for questions will be provided at the end of the presentation.