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4680 Sometimes Words Get in the Way: Collaborative Teamwork in Communication Intervention [ASHA Session] [Social Work Session]

Friday, July 9, 2010: 2:30 PM-3:45 PM

Reunion A (Hyatt Regency Dallas)

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Speech-language pathologists and behavior analysts often use a different vocabulary to describe the same elements of language and the same intervention strategies. These differences often create barriers to effective collaboration between the two disciplines. Challenging behaviors are often created by communication deficits, and collaboration between these two disciplines is necessary to create the most effective interventions for children with autism and other challenging behaviors. Examples will be presented of how each discipline describes the same terms and interventions.

Children and adults with autism often present with both communication and language deficits and disorders, as well as challenging behaviors that are the result of these issues. Behavior analysts that work in the field of challenging behavior develop plans to reduce these behaviors as well as replace them with new skills that they have taught the individual. Based on the work of B.F. Skinner in the field of Verbal Behavior, this theoretical perspective uses a different vocabulary to describe the elements of language as well as intervention techniques than does the field of speech-language pathology.

It is important for speech-language pathologists and behavior analysts to understand the other discipline’s terminology and teaching procedures when working with children with autism spectrum disorders and other challenging behaviors. The connection between communication deficits and challenging behaviors is well accepted, and each of these disciplines brings a unique set of skills to understanding the child and planning an individualized intervention approach.

The connection between these two disciplines is so important that there is even an online journal that is geared to individuals who are both speech-language pathologists and behavior analysts. This presentation will compare the vocabulary that each of these two disciplines uses to describe the same elements of language. It will also use video clips to talk about the same interaction using both traditional speech-language terms and behavior analytic terms.

The intention of this presentation is to foster the collaboration between these two disciplines, both of which play an important role in the education and support of individuals with autism and other developmental disorders, especially those who exhibit challenging behaviors due to deficits in the area of communication. By understanding the terminology of each others' disciplines, professionals in these two fields can work more effectively in collaborative relationships.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this presentation, participants will: Understand that speech language pathologists and behavior analysts use different terminology to describe the same components of language
See the commonalities in intervention techniques that are described by the disciplines of behavior analysis and speech language pathology
Appreciate the strengths of the disciplines of speech language pathology and applied behavior analysis in the education and treatment of children with autism and how the two can work together in a collaborative fashion

Content Area: Communication

Presenters:

Susan Kabot, Ed.D., CCC-SLP
Mailman Segal Center of Nova Southeastern University

Susan received her Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University. She is a Florida licensed speech-language pathologist and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is the mother of a son, Michael, with ASD.

Christine Reeve, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Reeve Autism Consulting

Christine received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and holds Board Certification as a Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D). She is in a private practice, providing consultation to school districts around the country.

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